Is this possible?

[screenplay]

Hello to all Mac users.

I am new the this forum, but I decided to join as I have a question

that I would liked answered.

It is regarding the OS.
On a new Mac, can you install or emulate an earlier model?
I do not know what the first OS for Mac was (i am guessing
around the 7.0 mark?) and I would like to have

that operating system to use so I can progam in 68000

assembly language?

Is this possible?
Or do I just have to go out and find an early Mac to purchase.

 

[EtherRad]

I think mini vMac is your best bet, this emulates a Plus. However to program in assembly you might want to use text wrangler in Mac OS X
 
This site is good for explaining how to disasemble 68k programs and identify TRAP functions http://www.gryphel.com/c/minivmac/extras/fdisasm/

Attached are some manuals for 68k instruction sets.

MC68000UM.pdf

MC68040UM.pdf

 

[just.in.time]

The first OS for Mac was actually 1.0 (System 1.0).

If you want to write code for it, at least power through this so you have a familiarity with the versions:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Mac_OS

... up to 7.5.5 is all you need if sticking to 68000.

I don't emulate because I have actual hardware. However it is very common to emulate the Macintosh Plus (68000 processor, supports up to 4MB of RAM, and has SCSI support (mostly) in ROM). I would recommend running the emulated hardware with System 6.0.8 or System 7.0.1.

Once you pick an emulator, pick a compatible system. I haven't done 68000 development myself, but I imagine Mac System Software also supports special calls. Once you get your emulated system up and running and have familiarized yourself with classical Apple systems, head over to the hacks and developments section of this site. They will be able to point you in the right direction as far as Apple specific development goes, including compiling your code into something that executes not just on a 68000, but from a Mac (i.e. The system software knows what to do with your file).

Also, if you can emulate an SE FDHD/SE SuperDrive, do that instead as you will get ROM support of 1.4mb disks. Not necessary but helps.

 

[screenplay]

Thanks for the tips.
The other question is how to get

documentation of the Mac OS?

Is this still available?

 

[screenplay]

Do this mean that there is no

archives of Mac OS documentation?

 

[avadondragon]

There are archives out there.  What specific type of documentation are you looking for?

 

[screenplay]

 I need to know how Mac OS works.
I assume there is a reference manual or the like.

I am not familiar with Mac OS so I am hoping

you can fill me in on the exact name of the book.

 

[avadondragon]

I THINK what you are looking for is the Inside Macintosh reference library.  

There are many different books but together they cover nearly EVERYTHING about the OS and hardware.  If you do a google search for "Inside Macintosh" you can find many of them as PDFs available for download.  Macintosh Toolbox Essentials is especially useful for developing programs although I'm not certain how to make calls to the toolbox when programming in assembly since I've never done it.  Searching the forums I came across a reference to Mac OS Runtime Architectures which may provide the key to using assembly.

Gryphel has an excellent listing of Apple Developer Documentation on his site.

Hope some of that helps.

 

[screenplay]

Yes that's it!!
Thanks for the links and knowing what I wanted.

Regards

 

[beachycove]

What I'd like to know is what kind of software you want to write!

 

[screenplay]

Why Games of course!