Introduction

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Introduction:
Compiling Instructions and Tutorial Preface

Welcome to the TI-86 Assembly Programming Tutorial! Assembly language (I won't deny it) is a difficult undertaking, whether or not you learn assembly here is entirely dependent on the diligence with which you apply yourself to its learning. I, of course, can't teach you everything that goes into making a premium quality ASM programmer; you should, however, gain more than enough knowledge from this tutorial to let your own artistry complete the process. Hopefully you'll find all the necessary and most current resources; maybe you'll even revert to these resources after you become an accomplished ASM programmer, as well. Once the appendices are completed, all discovered information concerning the TI-86 will be collectively represented within this tutorial.
Here are some things you will need right away (you will need to keep all these in the same directory):

A compiler. The best assembly language compiler is TASM (Turbo Assembler); a program using TASM to make .86p program files has been put together by Alan Bailey called make86p.bat, found here: http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86/tools/asm86.zip There are other compilers, but in my opinion, TASM is the best.
An environment. The environment I use is MicroASM, found at http://www.login.eunet.no/~oleset/microasm.htm Once you enter MicroASM, make it point to make86p.bat.
Another option is 86 Assembly Studio: an environment / compiler made specificly for the TI-86. Even though you can't use TASM with it, you still might want to take a look: http://www.stupidzone.com/asmstudio It's help files are great; this is essential if you are new to assembly.
Include Files. From my web page you can find all the current include files: http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~assets/ti86.htm These must be in the same directory as TASM.
An Emulator. Your assembly programs will crash; why not test them on the emulator first? You can use the TI-86 Emulator for Windows, which also disassembles(http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86/tools/ti86emu6.zip) or the TI-8X Emulator for DOS, which emulates sound and grayscale (http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86/tools/ti8xv01.zip). Either way, you will need a ROM image of your calculator by using Matt Johnson's Web Page (http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86/romcentral/index.htm) if you have ROM v. 1.2 or 1.3 (press [ALPHA]+[S] from the mode screen of your calc to determine your ROM version), otherwise you will have to use Randy Gulnva's ROM Dump program (available at ticalc.org)
Z80 User's Manual. You can either order this from Zilog (www.zilog.com) or you can use the electronic version (in Adobe Acrobat): http://www.zilog.com/frames/develope/z80180um/z80185.html Chapter 13 contains the Z80 instruction set -- very important.
Join the assembly-86 mailing list at ticalc.org. The people there can help you, or you might just want to read the help other people get.

You can reach me (Dux Gregis) at assets@eden.rutgers.edu. I'll do my best to answer questions / repair mistakes. Good luck ... we're all counting on you ;-)