ANTIC PIX BOOKS
Programming Your ATARI Computer
by Mark Thompson
This book, unlike most, starts with a fairly extensive introduction to computer science as a foundation for learning about the ATARI. Number systems, microcomputer architecture and operation, binary arithmetic, and Boolean operations are all covered in introductory chapters. In addition, the book goes into various aspects of ATARI BASIC, including graphics, sound and other applications, with sample programs. One chapter offers a brief introduction to machine language programming. TAB BOOKS Inc., $10.95.
BASIC Exercises for the ATARI
by L. P. Lamoitier
Designed for readers with a minimum of scientific or technical background, this book teaches BASIC through a series of graduated exercises. The first chapter presents - what else? - an income tax program. Other chapters cover flowcharts, math with integers, elementary geometry, and data processing. Advanced chapters include games, operations research, and statistics. Each exercise includes a statement and analysis of the problem, solution with flowchart and comments, corresponding program, and sample run. Pains have been taken to adopt a top-down, highly structured approach to solving programming problems. Sybex, $12.95.
Mapping the ATARI
by Ian Chadwick
Mapping the ATARI is thememory map to the ATARI 400/800 Operating System. Covering both Revision A and Revision B of the OS, Chadwick exhustively describes the function and use of practically every important memory location in the computers, while generally eschewing language-specific information. Extinsive sections on ATARI's special-purpose chips (ANTIC, POKEY, and GTIA) explain their purposes far better than the Technical User's Notes. Bill Wilkinson's introduction describes how to access memory in seven different languages - a most illuminating exercise. COMPUTE! Books, $14.95.
The Book of ATARI Software 1983
by Jeffrey Stanton, Robert P. Wells, Sandra Rochowansky
Offering over 300 pages of reviews for the ATARI 400/800 computers (plus reviews of some hardware and VCS games), this is a unique and valuable aid to the confused software shopper. Program categories include games & entertainment, business, education, and utility programs. Each program is rated on a scale of A to F by a number of different criteria - depending on the type of program. Writing style is consistently intelligent, clear, and objective. The Book Company, $19.95.
De Re ATARI
by Amy Chen, Chris Crawford, Jim Dunion, Bob Fraser, and Lane Winner
"All about the ATARI" is what this title means, and what the book delivers, even if you are sometimes required to translate not only the title, but the obscure presentation. This book is valuable because it is a distillation of the ATARI technical manuals by those who knew the most about them. De Re is like an adventure game, if you get stuck you just have to keep trying until you figure out what they meant to say. Nowadays it's not too hard to find someone who can ease the journey. If De Re ATARI is too easy for you, you're ready for the Technical User Notes, available from Atari, Inc. De Re Atari Program Exchange, $19.95.
I Speak BASIC to My ATARI
by Aubrey B. Jones, Jr.
An outgrowth of Philadelphia's PRIME project, in which minority students are introduced to careers in engineering, this book is intended for classroom instructional use. However, there is no reason why the book could not be used at home to full advantage by a motivated beginning-level ATARI owner. There are two versions; a teacher's guide and the student's text. Material of a largely introductory nature is presented in bold lettering, in sizes ranging from medium to large. Also, there is a good deal of blank space on many pages. The book includes short programs, trial runs, and illustrations. Hayden Book Co., $15.95.
ATARI Sound and Graphics
by Herb Moore, Judy Lower, and Bob Albrecht
This book picks up where ATARI BASIC left off. The book that came with your BASIC cartridge was fine for learning programming from ground zero, but did not cover ATARI's special features. ATARI Sound and Graphics, however, assumes no prior programming experience. As with ATARI BASIC, the material is presented in self-instructional format. Each short section presents you with a new idea for using BASIC to create an image or sound, then tests you. ONce you've covered the fundamentals in earlier chapters, you can learn how to use sound together with graphics, play a little music, and create some special effects. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. $9.95.
Atari Programming, with 55 Programs
by Linda M. Schreiber
The rank beginner hoping to learn BASIC programming on the ATARI will benefit greatly from the gentle guidance of Linda Schreiber. She starts from zero and progresses smoothly through the powers of BASIC in an organized way. The reader writes programs from the very start, using Schreiber's illustrative examples. She spends extra time on strings and special functions such as PEEKs and POKEs and USR commands. TAB BOOKS, Inc. $14.50.
Kids and the ATARI
by Edward H. Carlson
This special primer on programming is for children. Probably a bright seven year old could read and use this book. ATARI operations and elementary programming are cut into the tiniest conceptual units, explained very simply, and illustrated appropriately - usually one concept per page. Attractive and clever, the book is not at all threatening, yet it manages to get into string manipulation, sound and graphics. It includes a glossary of terms explained in simple English. Assignments in each lesson have correct solutions in the back of the book. Adults unfamiliar with computing could profit from this book too. Datamost, $19.95.