Working with 3k
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Working with 3k
Just an observation:
I am making my first real program with expanded memory. Just 3k. But WOW! What a difference it makes. It seems like I will never run out of memory. Now every little detail of my program (a game) has sound effects and animation!
Do Denial members prefer to program with or without memory expansion? And does anyone ever notice a slight (very very slight) slow-down with larger memory like a 16k cart?
I am making my first real program with expanded memory. Just 3k. But WOW! What a difference it makes. It seems like I will never run out of memory. Now every little detail of my program (a game) has sound effects and animation!
Do Denial members prefer to program with or without memory expansion? And does anyone ever notice a slight (very very slight) slow-down with larger memory like a 16k cart?
No, you get a speed-up with expansion memory! ( http://user.tninet.se/~pug510w/datormuseum/qbench.html )
Even more so if handling arrays etc if you have some free memory instead of running near "out of memory".
Even more so if handling arrays etc if you have some free memory instead of running near "out of memory".
PRG Starter - a VICE helper / Vic Software (Boray Gammon, SD2IEC music player, Vic Disk Menu, Tribbles, Mega Omega, How Many 8K etc.)
I've written exactly one VIC-20 game (Splatform) and I preferred using the expanded RAM just because of all the time and grief it saved me. I think it *might* still be possible to write a version for the unexpanded VIC, but it hurts my brain thinking about how I'd pull it off.
I'm pretty used to writing games that are quite tight when they sit on disk (see my 64 games: Splatform, Marz, Bounced64, Minima, and Minima Reloaded) but when they run they use a good percentage of the 64k that the C64 has. For example, a fairly small algorithm in Minima generates a 24k game map.
I suppose I could take a different approach; my take has developed from trying to make the most of my platform in the Minigame compos.
I'm pretty used to writing games that are quite tight when they sit on disk (see my 64 games: Splatform, Marz, Bounced64, Minima, and Minima Reloaded) but when they run they use a good percentage of the 64k that the C64 has. For example, a fairly small algorithm in Minima generates a 24k game map.
I suppose I could take a different approach; my take has developed from trying to make the most of my platform in the Minigame compos.
I would say it's better to write programs for the 8k expansion than for the 3k expansion, because more people have 8k, and 16k and 32k... but 3k is pretty unusual...
PRG Starter - a VICE helper / Vic Software (Boray Gammon, SD2IEC music player, Vic Disk Menu, Tribbles, Mega Omega, How Many 8K etc.)
I like RAM expansion in principle for some of the great games it has allowed (Sworf of Fargoal, etc.).
However, when programming, I currently prefer an unexpanded VIC, or a 3K VIC, because it doesn't alter the memory map --- which means greater compatibility, and an easier learning curve for me.
Of the two programs I've done (both games for my daughter) I have never had to go outside an unexpanded VIC, because the games have been simple. I *would* use the extra 3K (or maybe even 8K) if I suddenly ran out of memory, but this would be because of sloppy programming. My ultimate intent would be to go back over the code once the game was running and tighten it up to run on an unexpanded VIC.
Interesting to hear you've gone into the land of RAM PACKS, Jeff!
However, when programming, I currently prefer an unexpanded VIC, or a 3K VIC, because it doesn't alter the memory map --- which means greater compatibility, and an easier learning curve for me.
Of the two programs I've done (both games for my daughter) I have never had to go outside an unexpanded VIC, because the games have been simple. I *would* use the extra 3K (or maybe even 8K) if I suddenly ran out of memory, but this would be because of sloppy programming. My ultimate intent would be to go back over the code once the game was running and tighten it up to run on an unexpanded VIC.
Interesting to hear you've gone into the land of RAM PACKS, Jeff!
Yeah, I'm suprised too! But I like RAM packs now.
Really?? I thought everyone here would have a 3k cart. Am I wrong to make that assumption?Boray wrote:I would say it's better to write programs for the 8k expansion than for the 3k expansion, because more people have 8k, and 16k and 32k... but 3k is pretty unusual...
Yes. 8K or more is probably much more common than 3K. For example, eslapion's memory expander supports 8K, 16K, 24K and 32K, but not 3K so anyone who buys one of those will miss out if you make software that relies on 3K expansion.
Haven't we made a poll on this before? Maybe it is time for another one, with these four options:
* Don't own any memory expansion
* Only owns a 3K expansion
* Only owns a 8K expansion or better
* Owns memory expansion that can cover both
Haven't we made a poll on this before? Maybe it is time for another one, with these four options:
* Don't own any memory expansion
* Only owns a 3K expansion
* Only owns a 8K expansion or better
* Owns memory expansion that can cover both
Anders Carlsson
Yes, I posted a poll once... Where is it?
PRG Starter - a VICE helper / Vic Software (Boray Gammon, SD2IEC music player, Vic Disk Menu, Tribbles, Mega Omega, How Many 8K etc.)
Can't find it... Well, post a new poll with those options then Carlsson. Maybe the last option should be "Owns memory expansion(s) that can cover both"
PRG Starter - a VICE helper / Vic Software (Boray Gammon, SD2IEC music player, Vic Disk Menu, Tribbles, Mega Omega, How Many 8K etc.)
Well, I have a 3k expansion, and want to play your game, if it mattersJeff-20 wrote:..and I was almost finished with my 3k game.
But yeah, 8k+ expansions seem more common. I like how all the 8k+ expansions work the same way, kind of how I would have expected expansions to work all along (like on the PET).