PREFACE

This manual describes the resident Operating System (OS) for the ATARI© Home Computer, for readers who are familiar with the internal behavior of the system. It discusses:

• System functions and utilization techniques
• Subsystem relationships and organization
• Characteristics of the ATARl peripheral devices that can be attached to the ATARI 400™ and ATARI 800™ Home Computer
• Advanced techniques for going beyond the basic OS capabilities
• The general features of the computer system hardware used by the OS.

It would be helpful to have a familiarity with programming concepts and terminology, assembly language programming in general, the Synertek 6502 in particular, and digital hardware concepts and terminology. You will be provided with the information you need to use the OS resources without resorting to trial-and-error techniques or the OS listing. Supporting information for tasks that involve OS listing references is also provided.

This manual does not present a comprehensive description of the hardware used to provide OS capabilites. The programmer who needs to go beyond the capabilities described should consult the ATARI Home Computer Hardware Manual.