Homebrewing a digital computer

From: Mike Cheponis <mac_at_Wireless.Com>
Date: Sat Nov 11 00:53:05 2000

On Fri, 10 Nov 2000, Chuck McManis wrote:

> For VCF next year I'm home brewing a digital computer. The goal is to
> produce something akin to a CARDIAC that could be used by interested students.
>
> This is what I have so far, comments/criticisms/suggestions are welcome:
>
>
> Description:
> ============
> The computer consists of three rotary switches that can be set to
> the values 0 throuh 9. I would like them to look like the digital
> selectors on the front of the IBM 360 series machines.
>
> Architecture
> ============
>
> The SIMPLEX is a decimal architecture computer (base-10 being easier
> to understand than base-2) The store consists of 100 memory locations
> each of which can hold 3 digits.


Chuck, this looks like a proto IBM 1401. Rather than inventing a new
instruction set, why not teach them a historical instruction set and have
them learn about basic computer operations by using the 1401 ISP?

Also, the 1401 had similar rotary switches for setting values.

-Mike http://1401.org
Received on Sat Nov 11 2000 - 00:53:05 GMT

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