The Apple-1 Software Library Beta

Browse all the Apple-1 programs that ever existed. A tribute to history and their hackers.
Run them in any emulator, or instantly on the (real) machine.

version

Lunar Lander: Text Only

by Mark Garetz in 1976

Take control of the Lunar Module and try to land on the moon.

apple tapemachine codewithin 4k

Sold by Apple Computer on cassette tape for $5, order code A1T003X.

History

The "original" Lunar Lander Text-Only version.

Seems to be written by Mark Garetz as published by the Dr. Dobb's Journal of Computer Calisthenics & Orthodontia in 1976. The machine code that floats around for the Apple-1 has a lot of similarities (whole fragments of code are the same) with the assembly listing published in this journal. It is assumed that this work by Mark was adapted slightly to run on the Apple-1.

Note that this version was not written in BASIC, but in 6502 assembly. Quite unique, because most Lunar Lander variants at the time were written in BASIC, as explained on Wikipedia.

Instructions

Make sure the Lunar Module lands on the moon safely. This means a soft landing (not to fast) and before running out of fuel. A number (or zero) has to be entered each turn, representing the amount of fuel to burn. This effects the height and vertical velocity of the spacecraft.

Wikipedia explains:

The text-based games require the player to control a rocket attempting to land on the Moon by entering instructions to the rocket in a turn-based system in response to the textual summary of its current position and velocity relative to the ground. In the original Lunar, players controlled only the amount of vertical thrust to apply, based on their current vertical velocity and remaining fuel, with each round representing ten seconds of travel time.

References

Screenshot of Lunar Lander, version Text Only
Serial
Wozmon Binary

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Applefritter

Public Domain

Last update:
26 September 2024

Historical reference : hardware

In 1976, the Apple-1 Computer was advertised for $666.66 and came with 4K of on-board memory. For a $120 extra, this doubled to 8K of RAM. The provided Operation Manual included the circuit diagram and assembly code of the monitor program.

The Apple-1 Computer main board
The Apple-1 Computer main board.

The Cassette Interface (or ACI) was used to load and save programs from cassette tape. The ACI Manual showed how to install it (the main board had to be jumpered correctly) and explained how it had to be used. Priced at $75, it included a cassette of Apple BASIC.

The Apple-1 Cassette Interface or ACI
The Apple-1 Cassette Interface or ACI.
Cassette with Apple BASIC
Cassette with Apple BASIC.

Software

Its BASIC was written by Woz himself. It did not support floating point arithmetic, but was tiny enough to fit in 4K of memory. The software itself was free. The Preliminary Apple BASIC Users Manual explained how to write your own games and programs with it.

Cassette tapes could be bought as an original accessory to your new Apple-1. A total of nine programs were available and listed $5 each. Pick one below and go back in time.

BASIC Mastermind Lunar Lander Blackjack Hamurabi Mini-Startrek 16K-Startrek
Dis-Assembler Extended Monitor

At the time, people were also inspired by publications like 101 BASIC Computer Games. They spent their evenings and nights to key-in the games, but soon were disappointed to discover that some of these did not work at all because of the missing floating points... Arghh.

Dive deeper? Read more here and here.

How to emulate?

It is easy to run the software with one of these emulators:

View a comparison of emulators here.

...and run a program

First, start the emulator of choice and have it run Wozmon (or BASIC), then use the Wozmon button to copy-paste the program code into the emulator.

For example: open Apple 1js in another browser tab. Hit CLS to clear the screen and RESET to enter Wozmon. Then paste the copied Wozmon code from this website.

In-website transfer to an Apple-1 Available soon

This website can connect directly (and locally) to the Keyboard Serial Terminal from 8BitFlux.com. It uses the Web Serial API for this and is supported by Chrome or Edge browsers. The Wozmon code of any program can be transferred quickly.

The Keyboard Serial Terminal connected to an Apple-1
The Keyboard Serial Terminal connected to an Apple-1.

Use the Serial button to transfer the current program to the Apple-1. For example, BASIC takes around 20 seconds to transfer at a speed of 57.6 kbps. The board is compatible with the higher-speed TurboType™ format (with CRC check).

After the transfer of the game or program, switch over to the normal Apple-1 keyboard (by pressing a button) and enjoy it. This makes also a great kit for museums and public events. Kits available soon »

Further exploration

Credits

This library is an initiative of 8BitFlux.com. It can be put to full use with a Keyboard Serial Terminal adapter board, which let you run software instantly on a (real) Apple-1.

Many thanks to Uncle Bernie for his support and provision of his TurboType™ algorithm, which is part of his Apple-1 Toolchain.

Last but not least, all this was not possible by all the authors of Apple-1 software and emulators. The hobby computer enthusiasts of the past, but also people of the present, who keep this hobby so alive. Thank you all.

Disclaimer

This website is not associated with Apple Inc. in any way.

It tries to be a tribute to (their) history. It wants to list only software that is already considered to be in the public domain, or its license permits further publication. The (online) sources of the program and other references are listed when known.

Mistakes happen, as this website is not generated by any AI, please report any nonconformities.

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