Front panel switches - what did they do?

[Bill Sudbrink]

I wrote:
> Swift Griggs wrote:
> > Machine Language Using a Program Listing Using Toggle Switches".
> > That's pretty hard core. I'm surprised they didn't at least use
> > component displays with LEDs to show the values rather than
> > reading it straight off some blinkenlights.
> 
> It's much easier to tell if you have a stuck bit
> (data or address) with simple LEDs.  This was (and is)
> a real possibility in old machines.  Trying to watch
> for patterns of HEX or OCT digits to provide the same
> info would be really tough.

By the way, that's why most front panel implementations have
a "light check" function.

Bill S.