PDP-8: count number of set bits in a word

[Anders Nelson]

I suppose you could test each nybble for zero, then equate a 16-element LUT
on nybbles not zero?

--
Anders Nelson

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On Fri, Apr 5, 2019 at 11:59 AM Kyle Owen via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
wrote:

> Just wondering if anyone has come up with a fast way to count the number of
> 1s in a word on a PDP-8. The obvious way is looping 12 times, rotating the
> word through the link or sign bit, incrementing a count based on the value
> of the link or sign.
>
> With a small lookup table, you can reduce the total number of loops by
> counting multiple groups of bits at a time, but this of course comes with
> the cost of using more memory. Any other suggestions?
>
> Much appreciated,
>
> Kyle
>