ASM Basics IRC Class - Logs in First Post!

[Scyzer]

So the idea came up over IRC about having an ASM class for beginners. Basically, we'll have some "lessons" over IRC, where we will explain the basics of ASM. You'll learn about RAM, some ASM instructions, and there will be examples of ASM code and tasks for you to complete :)

This is NOT a general hacking class. I am NOT going to explain how to use SMILE or a hex editor. This is purely for hacking with ASM. As such, Iprior knowledge about hex and SMILE would be necessary.
I also will avoid repeating stuff, so make sure you catch up with the logs :P

The IRC Class can be found at #ASMhelp on esper.net. It's the same server as #metconst and #JZD

NOTE:
As of Lesson 4, I will no longer be running the class on IRC. I will write them up at home while I have time, then post them to be downloaded here. The channel #ASMhelp is still up and running for anyone to ask questions though, so feel free to come in, or message me on the forums.



What You Will Need:
Xkas v0.06
Kejardon's RamMap
Super Metroid (JU) ROM
Notepad or Wordpad

Additional Documents:
65816 Primer



Lesson Logs + Examples
Lesson 1 - Basics, LDA and STA
Lesson 2 - Comparing and Branching, Timers and Counters
Lesson 3 - Selective Bits
Lesson 4 - X and Y Indexing, Multiplication and Division

[Black Falcon]

Basically Sadiztyk Fish and me would be the 'headteachers' (read: operators  :twisted:).
We'd create our own channel where peeps can join and dive into the famous and mysterious world of asm.
Other peoples who already know asm could be teachers as well (on request).
Details will be announced after the discussion.



The session lengh depends on how people are willing to understand the stuff I gave to them.
They are planned to go about 1 hour.
After the sessions the teachers have to log the sessions and post them here.
I'll collect them and update this post asap!

In addition to SadFish's post:
We assume that you bring up some knowledge about how hex values work!
We don't want to explain that stuff again due to the fact that this is an ASM class, not
a HEX class!


To get the logs see above post.



RULES OF #ASMhelp:
Updated!

- The channel is on mode +m (mute), so you aren't able say anything.
- If you have a question please do not /msg the question to the teacher!
- Instead type /msg [insert teacher's nick here] "I have a question", nothing more.
 After this the teacher gives voice to you and then you're able to ask your question within the channel.
- Please use proper language like we do so that everyone else can understand it!
- The question has to be related to the current topic
 People who are asking dumb questions are receiving a warning and a kick.
 Those who received two warnings are getting a temp ban until the end of the sessions.
 Should this happen more frequently then they get permabanned from the channel!
- We will give voice to peoples one at a time and in order.
- Your voice will be removed when the question is answered.

- Please do NOT post any requests! Requests allowed!
- This is no, I repeat NO channel for SMILE related questions, they count as dumb questions!
  Any kind of SMILE related questions belong to the Engine Works board!

And the most important rule:

- ANY KIND OF SPAM IS FORBIDDEN!
People who are spamming the channel and our personal chat get kickbanned immediately!
Their ban will last forever! There will be no mercy, so obey the rules!
also:
- NO PAPER FLIERS!
- NO CHEWING GUM!
- NO TALKING TO YOUR NEIGHBOR!

So yeah I hope everything is clear now. If you still have any questions feel free to ask them here :D

HAPPY SCHOOL EVERYONE! :awesome:



The class channel on IRC is #ASMhelp

----~~ THE STAFF (so far) ~~----

Black_Falcon - Principal, also channel owner
Sadiztyk Fish - Headteacher

DSO - Teacher
DChronos - Teacher
Any person who already knows asm and is willing to help others is welcome here!

OMGbot - logs the sessions


----~~ SUBJECTS (may not be 100% accurate) ~~-----

Basics
SNES memory addressing (WRAM VRAM CGRAM ROM etc.)
SNES instructions
xkas commands (org, dw, db, ect.)
Hardware register stuff (Color math, DMA, HDMA, etc.)
Debugging

[DSO]

Okay, lesson coming up Wednesday, September 1st @ sometime aiming around 7ish EST (GMT -5).

So, there was a power outage yesterday that kept me from getting on, though fortunately battery backup let me inform some people beforehand. Sorry if I let you peoples down.
Friday @ 7 p.m GMT -5 is the new date for this lesson.

We'll be getting into debugging, so make sure to snag this and download Visual C++ 2005 SP1 (x86) if it doesn't run at first!

Be prepared to learn the secrets of BREAKPOINTS!

[squishy_ichigo]

as I've said in irc, I'm totally down for this

I know some asm, and can code enough, but I'm totally up for learning more! :D

[Black Falcon]

I haven't thought that we'd get so many positive feedback. :awesome:
Thank you peoples!!  :yay:
And Squishy: I'd be very glad if you'd be a teacher, too :D

[Xaggoth]

I would enjoy reading the logs from these.  I think SM_Fan122 has the right idea though, if you start on IRC you're going to have stragglers, meaning someone is going to try giving out instructions while someone else is trying to get everyone to slow down.

[Hiroshi Mishima]

Not to mention, if I recall correctly from one of FirePhoenix's attempts at a SMILE class... you're going to have people who will constantly interrupt because they don't know what the hell is going on, or because they're jerks and like pissing people off. I recall FiPho had to resort to using all caps and even then some people started thinking he was being silly and would start doing it too.

May almost need a specific channel just for this class...

[Phazar]

May almost need a specific channel just for this class...

Already have a specific channel for the class.  Also, I remember inter's GBA ASM classes, and the jerks were often controlled by being banned from the class.  Or, I guess if we wanted to be nicer, we could use voice+mute.

[Scyzer]

Yer, if there are people who join just to mess stuff up and be rude, they'll get warned the first time, but after that then they gotta go.

Anyway, before the first class, I'll update the first post, or Black Falcon will update his second, with details about each class, the time, etc :)

[Zhs2]

Yeah, man. You guys gotta coordinate sometime. Any plans on how you're going to work with these timezones?

[stat!k]

i would love to learn ASM! I'm gunna be doing advanced IT next year at school, the class consists of me and the teacher..... i know right? so that should be good. sign me up! i also do really like the idea of weekly 'projects' and voice logs.

[Quietus]

Sounds good to me. :^_^:

I'd suggest pretty much a zero-tolerance of people cocking about.  People get one warning from the operator at the start, and anybody posting stupid stuff is just kicked.  It might be an idea (if it's not too much work) to post cleaned up logs, as well as the originals.

My only other suggestion would be to give plenty of notice, as not everybody is on here every day, so just saying 'tonight, at 20:00' might miss a bunch of people.

[Black Falcon]

For everyone who wants to join the channel, please read this post.
Thanks!

[squishy_ichigo]

idk how many people will be able to make that, since its 9am forum time, and I know alot of people here goto school
I for one, will be at work at the time, and will miss it :<

Good Luck though , can't wait to read the logs :D

[Quietus]

Yeah, I'll miss it too.  Work.  'Nuff said. :sad:

* Quietus is hoping for logs.

* Quietus is a knob, and has forgotten - again - that it's a Public Holiday, and he will be at home. :eyeroll:

[Waker]

I'd like to become a teacher of the ASM-type, but I'd also like to be a student for SM specific stuff, be it as it may.

Notify me on IRC if you'll consider. :)

[JAM]

Wow, very good idea. I hope, it helps to shift amount of ASM hackers to the left. Maybe, even 2 times. So many great ideas in ideas topic and not too many people who can make it.

As for me, I have a low ASM skill, to be honest. Not enough to be a teacher. There are things what I already know (with help of many great people), but I want to learn more.

[Katelyn]

I'd like to come, but at that time I will be at school :<
At least we will probably have logs.

[Zhs2]

There will be logs, both supplied by myself and, for those exclusive to IRC function, OMGbot. I won't be around to see this stuff happen either because I'll be in college but my client shall be at the ready!

[Crashtour99]

So, just to be clear, current forum time is US Central Daylight time? (minus 5 minutes according to my computer LOL)   If so, then I'll be there at 9 am. 

[SM_Fan122]

2pm GMT is 7am for me... I don't think I'll be getting up early on an holiday... I'll just have to read the logs. I hope all goes well though!

[Quietus]

How're we joining?  I was awaiting a Mibbit link...

[Scyzer]

just go to mibbit, then join Metroid construction. From there we'll invite you into #ASMhelp

[Black Falcon]

How're we joining?  I was awaiting a Mibbit link...

No problem.
join the channel here: irc://irc.esper.net/asmhelp

[Quietus]

I sussed, but thanks.