Z80 Assembly 51: Choosing Your Tools (Assemblers and Emulators)
The Modern Z80 Toolchain Since you are writing Z80 code on a modern computer (like a Linux LXC), you need a cross-assembler to translate your mnemonics into machine code and an emulator to run and debug that machine code. Choosing a Cross-Assembler A cross-assembler runs on one type of machine (x86 Linux) but produces code for another (Z80). Popular Assemblers: Assembler Focus Key Features Z80Asm Generic Z80/Z180 Simple, fast, and highly compatible with many old Z80 dialects. sjasmplus ZX Spectrum / MSX Powerful modern assembler with rich macro support, binary includes, and comprehensive error checking. WLA DX Multi-platform Supports Z80, GameBoy, and other 8-bit CPUs, good for cross-platform projects. Assembler Directives Revisited: Be aware that directives like `DEFS′ (define space) or macro syntax (Part 20) can vary widely between assemblers. Always check the manual for your chosen tool. ...