Atari 800

Intr oduction to the Atari Computers and Peripherals 17
the Atari computer and RS-232-C peripherals. We already
discussed the fact that the Atari 825 printer should be connected
via the Atari 850 Interface Module.
Another Atari peripheral that must be connected via the Atari
850 Interf ace Module is the Atari 830 Modem. The Atari 830
Modem allows your Atari to communicate with another terminal
also equipp ed with a modem over telephone lines.
The Atari 850 Interface Module is connected to the Atari
console. I n turn, the peripherals are co nnect ed to the 850
Interfa ce Module. The 850 Interfa ce Module has 4 serial ports
and 1 parallel port, known as the printer port. The 850 Interface
Module has its own memory and processor and is programmed
from the Atari co mputer.
Game Controls
Three types of ga me control devices can be used with the Atari ;
joysticks,
paddl es, and keyboard controllers.
Software
Software can be
described as the instructions or programs that
cause the computer to operate. Several different classifications
of software exist for the performance of different functions.
Th ese ca n be classified as operat ing systems, languages, and
applications programs.
Operating
Systems
An operating system can be defined as a group of programs
which manage the overall operatio n of the computer. The
operating system performs system operations such as the
loading a nd unloadin g of data from cassette or diskette into
RAM a nd the display of operator keyboard entries on the video
screen.