Z-80 Simulator
There is a great tool for everybody that is studying Zilog Z-80 microprocessor. By using this tool, you can create and simulate your code. If you want to try, download it from http://www.z80.info/zip/z80dt.zip.
After that, extract the contents and launch z80dt.exe to start the application.
How to install and launch this application?
This application does not need to be installed. Just extract the ZIP file, then launch z80dt.exe. Sometimes, i can not launch the simulator by double clicking it. To solve this, run the application through Command Prompt.
Use your archive manager to extract it. I use C:\z80 as the destination.
Z-80 Simulator - Extracting
Then launch Command Prompt. To do it, click Start then Run. Type cmd and press Enter.
Now, type the following command:
cd folder_where_you_extract
z80dt
Of course, i will type:
cd C:\z80
z80dt
Command Prompt
Adjust this with your extract folder. If you succeeded, you’ll see the IDE. Press Alt + Enter to switch to full screen mode.
How to write and simulate the code?
Now, in the editor, you can start typing your Z-80 assembly code. The code must be written after 1 tab. It means that to write LD HL,12345 you have to press TAB then type LD HL,12345. Forgetting to do this will yield Error #5: Label expected when assembling.
Also, make sure you end your code with END command. If you forget to put this at the end of your code, you’ll receive Error #9: Unexpected end of file.
Z-80 Simulator - Assemble fails
For clear, see the following sample:
;====================================================
; Calculate sum of 5137 and 10243 (both are decimal),
; then store the result to HL register.
;====================================================
LD HL,5137
LD DE,10243
ADD HL,DE
HALT
END ;Don't foget this!
Any line begins with semicolon (;) is comment. This line will not be executed.
After writing your code, you have to assemble it. This is the same process as compiling source code. To do this, click Assemble menu (by pressing Alt+A) then choose Assemble editor file.
Z-80 Simulator - Assemble
When there are errors, you’ll be notified where’s the error. Find and fix the errors. When there are no errors anymore, you will get a message. Press any key to close that message.
Now, you must load your code into the simulator. To do this, select Debug menu (by pressing Alt+D) then Load code into simulator. When prompting for the location of file, just press Enter because it will be filled in automatically.
Z-80 Simulator - Load into Simulator
Now, you can see a screen showing your code in memory (with its memory location), the state of registers and flags, the state of stacks, etc. If you are familiar with Z-80, you will be easy to find them. Just press F8 to run your program step by step, and watch how your program runs.
Z-80 Simulator - Simulator
When it is finished. You’ll be notified. Press Escape to close the simulator and return to the editor.
Z-80 Simulator - Halt
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Versi bahasa Indonesia akan segera menyusul.
