13 Aug
2006
13 Aug
'06
1:43 p.m.
On 8/13/2006 at 4:02 PM Ray Arachelian wrote:
So it's not quite simulation. It also runs on real
hardware. Granted,
the instructions for how to do the emulation are in software, but they
run on real hardware. You could look at this as being "interpreted" on
a real computer, and "compiled" on an FPGA.
Yes, but to my mind, absent the periperals, the difference is scant enough
not to matter. Emulation has been with us almost as long as computers.
IIRC, the IBM 705 had an emulation program for the 650. S/360 could
emulate a number of older mainframes. I've often wondered if anyone
"nested' emulations on their S/360.
But it's all still digital electronics--electrons and holes and bits.
Mostly the packaging has changed. And if the packaging's REALLY the thing,
then we should be content with mock-ups with PeeCees behind the fa?ade
running the blinkenlights and sampling the switches to complete the
effect.
Where I find older equipment to be useful is running older peripherals.
All the rest is nostalgia. Since my salad days were spent with the really
big iron, I'm not likely to recreate them anytime soon. Those who spent
their good times with minicomputers have more of a shot at encapsulating
their happy times in amber.
Cheers,
Chck