intro to uxn programming workshop

online workshop to learn the basics of uxn programming.

in order to dig deeper, you can get and read our introduction to uxn programming book!

alternatively, you can check out our uxn tutorial online.

at babycastles

=> Video recording: Babycastles Academy: Intro to Uxn (spectra.video)
=> Video recording: Babycastles Academy: Intro to Uxn (yt)
=> Video recording: Babycastles Academy: Intro to Uxn (magnet link)

event info:

=> Babycastles Academy: Intro to Uxn Programming

sunday, november 21, 12021, at 3pm UTC-5 (EST)

description

Have you wondered how computers function under layers of abstraction? Are you curious about learning about assembly languages? Would you like to try fun challenges, while getting to know a permacomputing platform? Join us in learning about Uxn!

Uxn is a portable 8-bit virtual computer inspired by forth-machines, capable of running simple tools and games, and programmable in its own unique assembly language called Uxntal.

Uxn is at the core of Varvara computer, a platform for running small audio/visual applications. Varvara has been ported already to several years old and modern computing platforms, like the Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS, the Playdate, and more.

In this workshop we'll introduce the basic concepts to start programming this computer: its architecture, the programming paradigms of Uxntal, and some low-level aspects that will allow us to create a simple drawing tool!

Pre-requisites: This workshop is best for those with some previous programming experience. However, no previous experience with assembly or low-level computing is needed.

We will use the learn-uxn website by metasyn, that requires a web browser with javascript enabled:

=> learn-uxn

outline

uxn, varvara, and its architecture

what is uxn, varvara, uxntal?
varvara computer architecture

=> uxn documentation | varvara documentation

=> Unknown Fields Division - Summer 2014 China Cargo ship expedition | Rare Earthenware - Unknown Fields

uxntal basics

the stack and postfix notation
hexadecimal numbers

=> hexadecimal

bytes and shorts
outputs and inputs

drawing into the screen

learn-uxn site
system colors
uxntal labels
screen device
drawing a pixel

=> learn-uxn

sprite drawing

designing a sprite
drawing a sprite

=> 100R - nasu spritesheet editor

interactivity loop

draw loop: screen vector
mouse device
reading the mouse
drawing!

conditional behavior

flags
a small conditional example
more possibilities

outro

uxn tutorial and more resources!

=> uxn tutorial

support babycastles, 100R, and compudanzas!

=> support

=> babycastles | 100R

links and resources

for the workshop

and more

example program

( simple drawing tool )

( devices )
|00 @System  [ &vector $2 &pad $6  &r $2 &g $2 &b $2 ]
|20 @Screen  [ &vector $2 &width $2 &height $2 &pad  $2 &x $2 &y $2 &addr $2 &pixel $1 &sprite $1 ]
|90 @Mouse [ &vector $2 &x $2 &y $2 &state $1 &wheel $1 ]

( init )
|0100
@on-reset
    ( set system colors )
    #0a6f .System/r DEO2
    #05cf .System/g DEO2
    #0caf .System/b DEO2

    ( configure screen device )
    ;on-frame .Screen/vector DEO2
    ;brush .Screen/addr DEO2
BRK

@on-frame
    ( read mouse coordinates )
    ( and use as screen coordinates )
    .Mouse/x DEI2 .Screen/x DEO2
    .Mouse/y DEI2 .Screen/y DEO2

    ( read mouse state and compare for left click )
    .Mouse/state DEI
    #01 EQU ,&draw JCN ( jump when mouse is pressed )
    BRK

    &draw ( draw sprite: 4-fg, 5-color1 and alpha )
    #45 .Screen/sprite DEO
BRK

( sprite data )
@brush 3e7e ffff ffff 7e3c

support

if you enjoyed this workshop and found it helpful, consider giving us your support :)

=> support

=> compudanzas on patreon | compudanzas on ko-fi

incoming links

=> videos
=> uxn tutorial
=> tutorials
=> talks and workshops
=> uxn
=> log