The first reaction to this book was, "Hmmm, useful" quickly followed by "I wonder who'll buy it?"

On further consideration I decided that both were valid. There's no disputing that it is a great help to have all the Basic syntax, character codes, memory maps and useful locations to hand while programming. However, there is little if anything here that isn't available from other sources.

What the authors have done is pull these necessary bits and pieces together in one neat package although the "pocket handbook" title is a bit of misnomer, more suitable to a machine you move around a lot.

So what do you get for your £2.95? In addition to the features already mentioned, there are full maps of RAM and ROM including Basic and the Kernal, the complete machine code instruction set, everything you wanted to know about the 1541 disk drive including commands, error messages and disk formats, pinout diagrams and a guide to the RS232 standard, plus the usual character and screen codes.

If you do a lot of programming I suspect it would eventually become indispensable. Similarly, if you have bought the portable version of the 64, the SX, it will make life a lot easier. But most C64 owners can manage without.

Peter Worlock