Compiling Code

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Overview

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Build Command

devcpc build

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Build Process (14 Steps)

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Step 1: Convert Sprites (PNG → ASM)

• Searches for PNG files in the sprites directory
• Converts them to ASM format using png2asm.py
• Generates sprite data compatible with CPC palette
• Outputs to configured ASM file

✓ Sprites convertidos exitosamente
OK: ASM/sprites.asm
PNGs encontrados: 3 | Convertidos OK: 3 | Errores: 0

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Step 2: Convert Screens (PNG → SCN)

• Converts PNG loading screens to SCN format
• Generates 16KB screen files for direct CPC memory
• Creates .scn.info files with palette data
• Stores in obj/ directory

✓ 2 pantalla(s) convertida(s)
✓ title.scn generado (16384 bytes)

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Step 3: Compile ASM with ABASM

• Modifies ASSEMBLING_OPTION based on BUILD_LEVEL
• Compiles assembly code with ABASM
• Generates binary, listing, and map files
• Outputs 8BP{LEVEL}.bin or {TARGET}.bin

✓ Compilación exitosa
Archivo generado: obj/8BP0.bin (19120 bytes)

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Step 4: Verify Graphics Limits

• Checks _END_GRAPH symbol in map file
• Ensures graphics don’t exceed address 42040 (0xA428)
• Prevents memory corruption

✓ Límite de gráficos respetado (< 42040)

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Step 5: Create DSK Image

• Generates blank 178KB disk image
• Places in dist/ directory
• Ready to receive files

✓ DSK creado: dist/my-game.dsk

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Step 6: Add ASM Binary to DSK

• For 8BP: 8BP0.bin, 8BP1.bin, etc.
• For pure ASM: {TARGET}.bin
• Sets load and execute addresses

✓ 8BP0.bin añadido al DSK

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Step 7: Add Screens to DSK

• Adds all .scn files from obj/
• Load address: 0xC000 (video memory)
• Execute address: 0xC000

✓ 2 pantalla(s) añadida(s) al DSK

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Step 8: Compile C with SDCC

• Compiles C source with SDCC for Z80
• Converts Intel HEX to binary
• Adds C binary to DSK
• Code location: C_CODE_LOC (default: 20000)

✓ Código C compilado exitosamente
✓ main.bin añadido al DSK

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Step 9: Verify C Memory Limits

• Ensures code < 23999 to avoid corrupting 8BP
• Validates memory layout

✓ Límite de memoria C respetado (< 23999)

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Step 10: Add BASIC Files to DSK

• Finds all .bas files in directory
• Adds them as ASCII files to DSK
• Preserves BASIC tokenization

✓ 1 archivo(s) BASIC añadidos

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Step 11: Add RAW Files to DSK

• Adds binary files without AMSDOS header
• Useful for data files, music, etc.

✓ Archivos RAW añadidos

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Step 12: Show DSK Catalog

• Lists all files on DSK
• Shows file types and sizes
• Displays data pages used

Contenido del DSK:
0: 8BP0    .BIN  [ st: 0 extend: 0 data pages: 128 ]
1: LOADER  .BAS  [ st: 0 extend: 0 data pages: 3 ]
2: TITLE   .SCN  [ st: 0 extend: 0 data pages: 128 ]

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Step 13: Create CDT (if configured)

• Creates tape image
• Adds files in specified order
• Generates sequential tape structure

✓ 3 archivo(s) añadido(s) al CDT

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Step 14: Show CDT Catalog

• Lists all blocks on CDT
• Shows file order and types

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ASM Compilation Details

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8BP Projects

# devcpc.conf
PROJECT_NAME="game"
BUILD_LEVEL=0
ASM_PATH="asm/make_all_mygame.asm"

• Sets ASSEMBLING_OPTION in your ASM file
• Compiles with ABASM
• Generates 8BP{LEVEL}.bin

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Pure ASM Projects

# devcpc.conf
PROJECT_NAME="demo"
SOURCE="main"        # Source filename (no extension)
TARGET="program"     # Output binary name
LOADADDR="0x4000"    # Load address
ASM_PATH="asm"       # ASM directory

• Compile asm/{SOURCE}.asm
• Generate {TARGET}.bin
• Set load/execute address to LOADADDR

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BASIC File Handling

BASIC_PATH="bas"

• Added to the DSK as ASCII files
• Preserved with proper tokenization
• Available to load from BASIC

LOAD"LOADER.BAS"
RUN

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C Compilation with SDCC

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Requirements

# Install SDCC
brew install sdcc        # macOS
sudo apt install sdcc    # Linux

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Configuration

C_PATH="C"
C_SOURCE="main.c"
C_CODE_LOC=20000  # Must be < 23999

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Compilation Process

1. Compiles with SDCC for Z80:
   sdcc -mz80 --code-loc {C_CODE_LOC} --no-std-crt0 main.c
   
2. Converts Intel HEX to binary:
   hex2bin main.ihx
   
3. Adds to DSK with load address

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Memory Layout

0x0000 ┌──────────────┐
       │ CPC System   │
0x4000 ├──────────────┤
       │              │
       │ Your C Code  │  ← C_CODE_LOC
       │              │
0x5C30 ├──────────────┤
       │ 8BP Library  │
0xA428 ├──────────────┤
       │ Graphics     │
0xC000 └──────────────┘

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Using C with 8BP

10 REM Load 8BP with graphics
20 MEMORY 23599
30 LOAD"8BP0.bin"
40 CALL &6B78
50 REM Load C code
60 LOAD"main.BIN",20000
70 CALL &56B0  ' Address of _main

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Build Output Example

═══════════════════════════════════════
  Compilar Proyecto: space-invaders
═══════════════════════════════════════

ℹ Sistema: macOS (arm64)
ℹ Build Level: 0 (Todas las funcionalidades)
ℹ Memoria BASIC: MEMORY 23599

→ Convertir Sprites PNG a ASM
✓ 5 sprite(s) convertido(s)

→ Convertir Pantallas de Carga
✓ 2 pantalla(s) convertida(s)

→ Compilar Código ASM
✓ Compilación exitosa
✓ Límite de gráficos respetado (< 42040)

→ Crear Imagen DSK
✓ DSK creado: dist/space-invaders.dsk

→ Añadir archivos al DSK
✓ 8BP0.bin añadido
✓ 2 pantalla(s) añadida(s)
✓ 1 archivo(s) BASIC añadidos

Contenido del DSK:
0: 8BP0    .BIN  [ st: 0 extend: 0 data pages: 128 ]
1: TITLE   .SCN  [ st: 0 extend: 0 data pages: 128 ]
2: LOADER  .BAS  [ st: 0 extend: 0 data pages: 3 ]

✓ Proyecto compilado exitosamente

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Cleaning Build Artifacts

devcpc clean

• obj/ directory (intermediates)
• dist/ directory (final images)
• Backup files in ASM/

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Troubleshooting

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Compilation Errors

• Check syntax in your ASM files
• Verify BUILD_LEVEL is correct
• Ensure make_all_*.asm exists

• Reduce sprite/image sizes
• Optimize graphics data
• Use higher BUILD_LEVEL

pip3 install Pillow

brew install sdcc  # macOS

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Memory Issues

• Use lower C_CODE_LOC
• Optimize code size
• Adjust MEMORY in BASIC

• Ensure C_CODE_LOC < 23599
• Check map files for symbol addresses

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See Also

• Creating Projects - Initialize projects
• Graphics Conversion - PNG to ASM
• Disk Images - DSK management
• Emulator Integration - Testing with RVM