Overview about some of the assemblers used

(and appropriate utilities)

CP/M 2.2
- ASM
  - ASM is the standard assembler for 8080 mnemonics delivered by Digital Research. It is an assembler generating object code in Intel format (.HEX). ASM could simply generate object code from one source file only.
  - LOAD is the load tool for converting the object code into an executable .COM file.
- LASM
  - LASM is an assembler which emanated from ASM (by disassembling ASM!) While ASM allows compiling code in one piece only LASM allows multiple sources, which must be combined by the pseudo instruction LINK. Thus standard routines may be linked easily. But also LASM creates one single object file.
  - MLOAD is another load tool for converting the object code into an executable .COM file. But MLOAD allows the concatenation of a .COM file with one or more .HEX files. This is very interesting designing hardware dependent (MODEM-)tools: Let enough room at the beginning of the code of the kernel. Then compile the kernel and convert it into a .COM file. At a later date create the hardware drivers as .HEX files und combine them with the kernel by MLOAD.
- M80
  - The M80 was a break through in terms of
    1. coding modules,
    2. using 8080- as well as Z-80 mnemonics.
    Even within one source file 8080- and Z80-mnemonics could be used in common. Existing 8080-sources did not need to be changed while upgrades could be coded in Z80-mnemonics. Furthermore Microsoft launched the REL format which allows modular programming. Using modules permits the support of libraries - a sample of subroutines managed by a librarian.
  - L80 is the required link tool for combining compiled modules and library routines into one .COM file.
  - LIB80 is the library managing tool.
- SLR180
  - The SLR180 by SLR Systems is similar to the M80 but does support Z80-mnemonics only. The SLR180 is significant faster than the M80. Beneath the Microsoft bit oriented REL format it supports an own format which is byte oriented.
  - SLRNK is the required linker.
  - SLRIB is the corresponding library utility.
CP/M 3.0
- MAC
  - MAC
  - HEXCOM is the modern outfit of the old LOAD.
- RMAC
  - RMAC is - alike MAC - a 8080 assembler but permits modular programming as described on the M80. The code generated is compatible to the Microsoft REL format.
  - LINK corresponds to L80 but allows the generation of additional formats (e.g. as required for a RSX).
  - LIB corresponds to LIB80.

The original debugger for CP/M 2 was the DDT (Dynamic Debugging Tool) while for CP/M 3 SID (Symbolic Instruction Debugger) was used. The function of SID was alike DDT but it allowed the additional reading symbol tables. Both debuggers work with 8080 instructions. At a later date ZSID [

] (Z-80 Symbolic Instruction Debugger) came onto the market. It was identical to SID except working on Z80 instructions. In addition DDTZ became available which was based on DDT but also layed out for Z80 instructions. Beneath these line oriented debuggers some screen oriented debuggers (displaying CPU registers in an animated fashion) were available, e.g. Z8E or PMON by HiSoft (from the development tool DEVPAC80).
An exceptional position was WADE (WAgners DEugger).

Beneath the above noted assemblers there were three more which will be introduced briefly:

Assembler	Description
`ZMAC`	In the old days Martin Kotulla distributed CP/M PD-software, which was available later on at the simtel server. Among others the Z80-assembler *ZMAC V1.07* (1980 by Small System Design, Manchester, New Hampshire) and the linker *ZLINK V1.4*. It misses a librarian. Also the code generated is not REL-80 compatible.
`ZAS`	This large package consists of the assembler *ZAS V2.5* (MITEK, 1984), the linker *ZLINK V2.3* and the librarian *ZLIB V2.3. It also includes a reference program ZREF, a debugger ZBUG* and a 8080 to Z80 converter *ZCON*. The code generated is REL-80 compatible.
`ZSM`	Another Z80 assembler was available on the simtel server, *ZSM V2.3* (by DPG, 1987). It includes a linker *ZLINK V2.3* and a librarian *ZLIB V2.3*. The code generated is not REL-80 compatible. It is designed for generating a syntax similar to the language C. A large C like library is enclosed.

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Last updated: 2006 November 22