Commander X16

Hello, I'm a modern kinda dude who's very interested in old style computing and dev.

I learned about the X16 through a random YouTube video, about someone recreating the original megaman on the emulator.
one thing led to another and now i'd legitimately want to have an x16 in my home for fun.

i do want to learn dev and the like for it, but I am absolute DOGWATER when it comes to programming. some stuff only vaguely makes sense, but at the moment i couldn't put any of it into practice. so i hope this (and my more modern game dev ventures) really help me to understand computer dev and coding.

and i want assembly to be one of the first things i learn because im a masochist who doesn't value their sanity.

EG6 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 24, 2023 11:11 pm I am absolute DOGWATER when it comes to programming.

I assume that's a bad thing. In any event, I would not recommend assembly language as your first programming language. You need to walk before you run. That's why the "B" in BASIC stands for "Beginner's". There's a lot you can learn and do in BASIC so don't discount it.

i'm very willing to learn other stuff if it's a better stepping stone. im just being somewhat humorous, coding is something i do genuinely want to learn.

EG6 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 5:38 pm i'm very willing to learn other stuff if it's a better stepping stone. im just being somewhat humorous, coding is something i do genuinely want to learn.

Welcome!

You can learn to code with any language, the question becomes how steep of a curve you want or can climb. Most home computers in the 80's shipped with BASIC for a reason, people can be successful with it learning by themselves. The concepts in programming such as loops, recursions, functions, ect extend to almost any programming language, the difference is in the implementation.

I had the privilege of learning in the 80's with a VIC-20 as a youth. I started with just playing games (which is a very valid reason alone to buy an X16) then onto BASIC and advancing to assembler. From there I learnt many other languages; all taught me about coding. Computers and programming continue to evolve, so there is an unendless amount one can learn.

Given the emulator and the resources on the web you can start now then transition to the hardware when it becomes available. There is a lot of wisdom in the forums here and it expands daily. Help is only a post away in this community.

Again welcome and I hope you enjoy learning how to program!

I've never been a fan of BASIC, but on the CX16 with the graphics and sound commands it is an absolute joy to tinker with.

Another great language to learn on the CX16 is C. A fellow on this forum has a great tutorial up on github.

https://github.com/mwiedmann/cx16CodingInC

C is a high level language like BASIC, though it is closer to the metal. I suppose it might be acceptable to call C an intermediate level language.

I'd suggest learning these languages before tackling assembly language.