[stella] Macros to manage memory allocation.

[R Mundschau]

Hello,

I thought I would share a set of macros that I have been using lately  
to help simplify allocating memory.  The macros as attached allow you  
to allocate RAM for global variables, and RAM for sets of local  
variables.  All the sets of local variables are overlayed in memory.   
It is up to the programmer to handle the issues of sharing RAM  
between variables.    A general protocol, like local variables are  
not valid outside of the routine where they are used is usually  
sufficient.

The macros could be expanded to support multiple overlays of local  
variables, like layers of scope in a structured language such as C.   
Or, include expanded RAM like the SARA chip or the Supercharger, but  
right now only the one layer of locals and the original 128 bytes of  
RAM are supported.  There is no accounting for stack usage, RAM is  
simply allocated starting from $80 and growing towards $FF.

The main advantage of these macros is to eliminate clumsy hard-coded   
"label EQU address" like statements.  DASM is not too happy about how  
the macros work right now because it takes many passes for the  
variable addresses to all settle down, but I find the macros very  
useful in saving time and reducing errors.  Does anyone have ideas  
for improving on this technique?

Cheers!
Robert M

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