by Lee Pappas
Many Atari computer-oriented books have been released since our last listing in April of 1984 (issue 18). ANALOG Computing will continue to inform its readers of recently-published books every month, in the New Products section. Also, examine the July/August 1983 issue (issue 12), which contained our first listing-four pages of compatible books.
PECK, ROBERT A. ADVANCED ATARI BASIC TUTORIAL. 174pp. HOWARD SAMS84 (0-672-22067-9) $11.95
A follow-up to the ATARI BASIC TUTORIAL, this book continues coverage of Atari's BASIC with concentrated use of the Disk Operating System (DOS), database programming and graphic applications. Additional chapters cover advanced string handling, sorting and screen handling. Includes many program examples and practical solutions.
CHASIN, MARK ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING FOR THE ATARI COMPUTERS. 304pp. MCGRAWHILL84. (007-010679-7) $15.95 (approx.)
This hefty, large-format paperback follows machine language programming from beginning to end, with full coverage of the 6502 instruction set. Nomenclature, addressing techniques, display list and interrupts, graphics and sound are all explained in detail, along with many of the other specialties inherent in the Atari home computers.
One chapter covers the six popular assemblers for the Atari: the Atari Assembler Editor Cartridge, the Atari Macro Assembler, MAC/65, the SynAssembler, Edit 6502 from LJK and the Macro Assembler/Text Editor from Eastern House. Another covers using machine language subroutines in Atari BASIC, fine scrolling and Atari hardware.
COLLINS, JOSEPH W ATARI COLOR GRAPHICS. 202pp. ARRAYS INC84 (0-912003-17-7) $12.95
This book, dubbed "A Beginner's Workbook:' thoroughly covers all of the graphics modes, I to 15. Additional information is given to GTIA-chip or XL owners, plus non-GTIA and non-XL owners. Short programs abound, explaining the individual modes in detail. Many have photos included to show what your typing should resemble when the programs are run. How to use colors, the text window and graphics mode 0 are also extensively explored.
D'IGNAZIO, FRED. THE ATARI PLAYGROUND. 122pp. HAYDON83 (0-8104-5770-9) $9.95
Many of the twenty-three programs contained in this "type and run" book were written by children, which is the age bracket it's designed for. The BASIC listings cover numbers, the alphabet, words, music, faces, colors, drawing, imagination, hand-eye and knowledge.
Most of the listings are fairly short, and the type used throughout the book is large, making reading and typing a simple chore. Each program includes text-for parents and teachers- describing what the program does and its benefits. For kids, there are typing hints, artwork, highlights and some explanations of how the programs work. At $19.95, the book is available with a cassette of all twentythree programs.
SHNEIDERMAN, BEN. LET'S LEARN BASIC. 194pp. LIT TLE,BROWN84 (0-316-78722-1) $8.95
Let's Learn BASIC: A kids' introduction to BASIC programming on Atari Home Computers is oriented toward children 8 to 14 years old (3rd through 9th graders). Presented in a logical order, designed to make sense to the reader, this book gets the novice involved with computer-arithmetic, printing functions and decision making (i.e., IF/GOTO). Many program demos and illustrations.
ZUANICH, MARGARET ANN and LIPSCOMB, SUSAN DRAKE. BASIC FUN WITH GRAPHICS: THE ATARI WAY. 128pp. AVON83 (0-380-85050-8) $3.95
A small paperback containing many short programs which allow you to create elementary pictures and shapes in BASIC. The first section shows how to "draw, " using just the alpha-numeric capabilities of the computer (a throwback to the old computer days). The more interesting programs fiddle with geometry and SIN/COS functions, enabling you to produce some fascinating images. Dozens of black and white drawings are included, along with several color photos.
THE BLUE BOOK FOR THE ATARI COMPUTER. 320pp. WIDL Video Pub. (684-17921-0) $17.95
Over 940 software and hardware items in all categories are listed here, with more than 52 different categories for programs. The complete indexing system will assist you in finding a particular product. Descriptions accompany all listings, and a section is included which gives the addresses and phone numbers of every company mentioned in the book.
GOODE, PETER. GETTING STARTED WITH THE ATARI 600XL. 140pp. Dist. by DAVID & CHARLES INC., North Pomfret, VT 05053 (0-9465-7614-9) $12.95
The second page of Chapter I instantly starts you on your way into using and programming your 600XL. The book is filled with demos and examples, illustrating uses such as joystick routines, strings, graphics and many of the general BASIC commands, This is all followed by a glossary and error code listing.
PECK, ROBERT A. ATARI BASIC TUTORIAL. 220pp. HOWARD SAMS83 (0,672-22066-0) $12.95
This book treats the Atari computer as a serious tool and startsfrom the ground up-teaching BASIC and general Atari operations. Introductions to DOS, string handling, data functions, graphics and sound are all covered, along with programming techniques. Short programs which utilize the appropriate statements are included.
D'IGNAZIO, FRED. THE ATARI WONDERLAND. 139pp. HAYDON83 (0-8104-5771-7) $9.95
By the author of The Atari Playground, this follow-up book continues in the same style, with twenty-three new programs for youngsters. The same topics are covered, except for alphabet and drawing, which have been replaced with two programs teaching how to count from I to 10 in Spanish and French. Other programs include: Greater than What?, the Pied Piper, Make Up a Song, Al's Tour of the States, Where Do You Live? and Book Report.
RUGG, Tom; FELDMAN, PHIL and BARRY, TIMOTHY 32 BASIC PROGRAMS FOR THE ATARI COMPUTER. 274pp. DILITHIUM84 (0-88056-084-3) $19.95
As the title said, this book contains 32 BASIC listings designed to run on every model Atari computer. Unlike most other program listing books, this one covers using the program, shows you a sample run as it would appear on-screen and has a "how to" section for easy modifications. Also shown are the main routines (giving the BASIC line numbers and their functions) and a variable list, followed by a list of suggested projects.
Program titles include: Roadrace, Wari and jot-all games; Graph, Stats and Curve - math-solving listings; Kaleido, Sparkle and Walloons -graphic displays; and Flash, Vocab and Metric Numbers-educational. Other sections cover applications and miscellaneous programs.
KNIGHT, TIMOTHY 0. HOW TO EXCEL ON YOUR ATARI 600XL AND 800XL. 144pp. MCGRAW-HILL84, $9.95 (approx.)
One of the few books written exclusively for the XL line, this book is a good replacement for the manual that never came with your 600XL or 800XL. Chapters cover setting up and familiarizing yourself with the computer, using the AtariWriter word processor, graphics, sound and music. Also covered are the use of the computer in the home, initial programming techniques and brief descriptions of Atari-compatible peripherals.
GOODE, PETER. THE ATARI 600XL PROGRAM BOOK. 160pp. Dist. by DAVID & CHARLES INC., North Pomfret, VT 05053 (0-9465-7611-4) $12.95
This book from Great Britain contains programs which can be run on the 600XL's 16K standard memory. Games such as Wall Dodge, Egg Catcher, Meteoroid Storm and Robot Island are listed, as well as programs for general use, like Bar Chart and Cataloger. Educational listings are also included. Though the programs are rather simplistic, they'll start you on your way. Thirty-five programs are fully listed.
Note: the numbers given in parentheses in these listings are ISBNs which, when given to a bookstore, will aid in locating or ordering a book.