Mastering The Vic 20 from the same publisher and co-authored by Antonia Jones is without doubt the best book on the Vic 20 available, so this version for the C64 has a strong pedigree. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite reach the pinnacle of the earlier title - this one is merely excellent.
After the flood of books aimed at the novice owner of the C64, is a welcome change to have one for the more advanced programmer. Although the usual review of Basic is included, I suspect it is here more for thoroughness than to meet any need of the reader. The assumption appears to be that you'll know basic Basic and now want to develop your skills.
For the most part the tone is brisk and businesslike (the occasional attempts at levity strike an odd note) with thorough explanations and many example programs, both practical and entertaining.
Every aspect of programming the C64 is covered: an in-depth look at manipulating arrays, all of the graphics modes, Input/Output routines, and a really informative section on how the Basic interpreter works and the ways in which you can use this knowledge.
If there is a weak spot it is the chapter on sound which comes dangerously close to being over-technical and has too few examples. It is salvaged, however, by a synthesiser program of near-commercial standard.
Having dissected Basic so thoroughly the authors move on to machine code programming and while it does not attempt to teach you assembler, once you have begun to program in machine code this book more than any other will help you get the most from the combination of language and machine.
The outstanding feature of the book is the standard of programs (available on tape or disk from distributor John Wiley). They include a sprite editor, Basic and machine code high-resolution plotting programs, countless utilities and a splendid Gin Rummy game which pits you against the C64. The machine code programs are presented in annotated source code and in Basic loader form to further help you learn assembler.
A book that lives up to its title and the first to buy if you consider yourself beyond the beginner stage.
19th May 1984
