Commodore 64 Programmer's Reference Guide
The C64 bible
Commodore's official technical reference that became the essential companion for every serious C64 programmer.
Overview
The Commodore 64 Programmer’s Reference Guide was the official technical documentation for the C64, published by Commodore in 1982. Unlike most computer manuals, it was comprehensive, well-organised, and genuinely useful, earning it the nickname “The Bible” among C64 programmers.
The book covered everything from BASIC programming to hardware registers, making it invaluable for beginners learning their first language and experts squeezing every cycle from the hardware.
Fast Facts
- Publisher: Commodore Business Machines
- Year: 1982
- Pages: ~486
- Format: Spiral-bound (lay flat for typing)
- Price: Included with C64 or ~$20 separately
Contents
The guide covered the entire C64:
- BASIC V2 - Complete command reference
- Screen and colour - Character modes, colour memory
- Sound - SID chip programming
- Sprites - Hardware sprite control
- Memory maps - Complete address breakdown
- I/O - Keyboard, joystick, serial bus
- 6510 assembly - Instruction reference
- Kernal routines - OS function calls
- Hardware schematics - For the truly dedicated
Why It Mattered
Unlike modern documentation hidden in PDFs and websites, this physical book sat beside every serious C64. Its spiral binding let it lay flat while you typed, and the comprehensive index made finding information quick.
The memory maps and register tables were particularly valuable, documenting the VIC-II and SID chips in detail that enabled the demo scene’s hardware tricks.
Limitations
The guide had some gaps:
- No coverage of undocumented opcodes
- SID documentation incomplete (filter quirks)
- VIC-II raster timing not fully explained
These gaps would be filled by the community and later books.