Code tools Picturesque is best known for its Spectrum machine code tools; these have proved popular with programmers, suitable for both beginners and experts. The Code Machine for the Amstrad comprises of both assembler and monitor programs, supplied on cassette with a disc backup option. Entering mnemonics into the assembler is straightforward, with each line being divided into four fields; the space bar "tabs” you across line number (0 to 9999), label (up to six characters), operation and operand. The Auto command provides line numbers of any chosen increment. Once you have entered the source code, it can be restructured with the commands Renumber. Copy and Delete, and edited by one of two methods - Edit brings down the line for alteration, or you can use the Copy Cursor feature of the Amstrad. The monitor provides many useful commands, including a full disassembler; most notable is the Trace option. which single steps through routines with a comprehensive "front panel” display of register contents. What's more, you can enable either Rom for disassembly, and even change the alternative register set. In a straight comparison with the Amsoft Devpac program. The Code Machine is easier to use and has extra features. I can find only a few points on which Devpac scores: remark statements can be added to the end of a line, rather than occupying their own, and its monitor is capable of disassembling code into a text file. This is a first-class product. Jeff Naylor , Popular Computing Weekly
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