Hardware/doc preservatoion, was Re: rarest computers.

From: Steven N. Hirsch <shirsch_at_adelphia.net>
Date: Thu Aug 5 17:19:23 2004

On Wed, 4 Aug 2004, ben franchuk wrote:

> PS. Years ago in BYTE ( early 1990's? ) they had spoke up of a CPU
> designed for reliable operation for real time control of things like
> power plants or subways or aircraft. They claimed it was so simple that
> programs could be proven to be bug free. I was wondering if they
> manufactured or sold any the devices.

That would be the British "Viper" CPU. Computational theory suggests
(proves, perhaps? - it's been a few years) that use of hardware or
software stacks renders behavior indeterminate. So, no subroutine calls
or dynamically allocated variables.

Has anyone ever seen the program listing for a real system implementation
using this beast? Byte mentioned the RAF and UK Defence Ministry as being
sponsors for its development, IIRC.

Steve

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   - 'Downside'
Received on Thu Aug 05 2004 - 17:19:23 BST