What You Need

What you need

Unlike when using the built-in language on the calculator, you need some special tools and software to write assembly programs that can be run on the calculator. In theory you can enter machine code directly into the calculator, however that is ridiculously difficult for any program over about three lines long.

An Assembler

The first thing you need is an assembler. This is a piece of software which allows you to type in the programs, which it then converts into the .86p files that can be sent to the calculator.

I personally use Assembly Studio 3.1, and the instructions in this tutorial will be for that assembler. Unfortunately it is only available for Windows. I have been told that Linux users can use gcc (which should come with Linux), although I haven't figured out how yet. I don't know if there are any assemblers available for the Mac users (I'm sort of experimenting with CodeWarrior, which we've got on the Macs at school).

I'm also writing my own open source assembler with link software - I'll release versions for Linux and DOS / win16 / win32 (in that order, he he he), and someone else can compile it for the Mac for me. More details may or may not follow, depending on whether I get bored and give up...

A GraphLink

You also need a cable to go between your computer and calculator. You can buy them from Texas Instruments or make your own (there's an explanation of how to do this on tigalaxy).

An Emulator

Although by no means essential, an emulator can be a very useful tool, especially when you start advanced assembly and debugging. They are basically just virtual calculators that can be run on any medium or high spec computer. I use VTI, it's generally good but it is a bit unreliable in certain circumstances (sound, using the link cable, sending and receiving variables) - please don't ask me how it works as I'm not an expert.