MAC/65
MAC/65 is a 6502 assembler written by Stephen D. Lawrow for the Atari 8-bit family of home computers. MAC/65 was first released on disk by Optimized Systems Software in 1982, with the program requiring 16 KB RAM. A bank switched "SuperCartridge" from OSS followed in January 1984 for US$99, occupying only 8 KB.
Screenshot of cartridge version | |
| Original author(s) | Steven D. Lawrow |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Optimized Systems Software |
| Initial release | 1982 |
| Final release | 4.20
/ 1994 |
| Platform | Atari 8-bit family |
| Size | 16 KB |
| Type | Assembler |
| License | Proprietary software |
MAC/65 is structured similarly to the Atari Assembler Editor cartridge, combining a line editor, assembler, and debugger into a single package. Its reputation was based on being much faster than either the Assembler Editor or the standalone Atari Macro Assembler. Brian Moriarty of Infocom wrote, "No assembler [at the time] on the C64 even comes CLOSE to MAC/65. Take it from someone who looked for one." It was used to write numerous commercial games and applications, and the majority of assembly language listings in ANALOG Computing were written with MAC/65.
According to Lawrow, MAC/65 was used to compile not only itself, but BASIC XL and BASIC XE.