[systems_glitch]

For trivial examples, and especially when using modern toolchains, the 6502 isn't tremendously more difficult to program for; however, if you're using the tools and resources of the day and writing large, complex projects (e.g. disk operating systems, databases, etc.) it's another story.

The 6800's larger register set (yes, 16-bit stack pointer and index registers, but also dual accumulators), richer instruction set, more consistent use of status flags, and hardware features like DMA support with no additional hardware/not a special version of the processor are what makes it more of a "real processor" to me.

I still hack on both, though, so I'm not trying to say the 6502 is some kinda turd no one should program :P

[jacquesm]

What's impressive is how much utility could be gotten from such a simple CPU.

[systems_glitch]

Same with the DEC PDP-8, it's amazing there's a full-featured disk operating system for it!