I'm pretty excited about the software updates. The original version of wAx is a BASIC extension with about 20 tools, each of which uses a different character to specify the tool. For example, @ is for Assembly, & is for Copy, period and comma are for Disassembly, etc. The new version consolidates every wAx tool to a single wedge character (the period), with the tool now represented by a letter (in most cases) or a symbol. The commands in wAx2 are usually the same as those of VICmon, so that people familiar with other 6502 monitors don't need to relearn command names. For example
Code: Select all
@1800 LDA #"J"
@1802 "HELLO"
Code: Select all
.A 1800 LDA #"J"
.A 1802 "HELLO"
Code: Select all
/1800 JSR $FFD2
or
/1800:20 D2 FF
or
/1800 "HELLO"
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.H 1800 JSR $FFD2
or
.H 1800:20 D2 FF
or
.H 1800 "HELLO"
Every time a wAx2 command finishes, wAx2 provides a prompt, either for the next address (in the case of assembly or lists), or a simple period prompt. This provides the illusion of staying "in wAx" to execute multiple commands. Or you can press DEL or X/RETURN, or STOP/RESTORE to go back to entering BASIC commands. This makes the extra period much less burdensome, while allowing a developer to use (or build) other BASIC extensions using wAx.
Since wAx2 will occupy Block 5, I can expand the available tools up to 8K. One or more commonly-used plug-ins will be promoted to a full-time tool (disk directory with search, at the very least). Additional plug-ins, including wAxfer--a Bluetooth PC-to-VIC transfer system--will be part of the included software.
My target date for making cartridges available is early March. Revising the printed manual is going to be the hardest thing to do, and that'll take some time. Most other things, like chips and cartridge labels, are already on order.