23 Jun
2004
23 Jun
'04
6:22 a.m.
Well, you might actually be able to show them the same
simple
program for the IBM-1401, PDP-8, PDP-10, PDP-11, VAX, ... to
get an idea of the different architectures. Something simple,
like calculating a polynomial (VAX = 1 instruction,
PDP-8=aaak! You expect me to type that in?).
Presumably for stage two you have them explain
why the POLYx instructions (which are in microcode
in the early VAXen) were subsetted out later on.
If I get some time to build that SBC6120 I may
have to have a go at learning some PDP-8 assembler.
(I know I could use a simulator, but I'd prefer
to use this as an incentive to build something!)
Antonio
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Antonio Carlini arcarlini(a)iee.org