Unlocking ZX Spectrum Graphics: A Deep Dive into Memory Addressing

This article delves into the intricacies of graphics programming on the ZX Spectrum. It explains how the Spectrum's video memory isn't a simple pixel grid, but rather a combination of pixel and attribute areas, with each attribute block controlling 8x8 pixels' color and effects, leading to the famous 'attribute clash'. The author details pixel address calculation methods, including direct formula calculation, incremental methods, and highly efficient table lookups, providing JavaScript and Z80 assembly code examples to draw points and 8x8 graphics. Mastering these techniques is crucial for efficient graphics programming on the Spectrum.