Introduction to the Kim-1 (UNO) SCANDS Routine The Kim-1 (UNO) SCANDS Routine is built into the Kim-1. This allows you to display data on the 6-Segment LED display. Basically, this just takes data from $FB, $FA, and $F9. We simply use the JSR instruction to jump to the subroutine at Read More »
Introduction to Programming the Kim-1 (Uno) Programming the Kim-1 (Uno) is a lot of fun, and you can learn very quickly. You can read the instructions to build the Kim Uno here. In my case, I just downloaded the gerber files, and had the boards made. They are much easier Read More »
Introduction to Altair Front Panel Programming Altair Front Panel Programming allows us to enter a program using the front panel switches. In the early days of computers, terminals were expensive. Most of those who were building the Altair 8800 would enter a program through the front panel switches. The advantage Read More »
Introduction to the Kenbak-1 SKIP Instruction The Kenbak-1 SKIP Instruction allows us to skip an instruction in memory. We base this on a certain bit at a memory cell being high or low. Let’s say we only want to display odd numbers. If bit zero is high on the value Read More »
Introduction to the Kenbak-1 SET Instruction The Kenbak-1 SET Instruction allows us to turn a bit on, or shut a bit off within a byte. This is a two byte instruction. The first byte contains the instruction. The second byte contains the address to be operated on. For this exercise, Read More »
Introduction to Kenbak-1 Shift and Rotate Instructions Kenbak-1 Shift and Rotate Instructions allow us to manipulate data at a memory location by moving bits around within a byte. Specifically, the “A” or “B” Register. This is a 1-byte instruction. Not only is this good for cosmetic appearance of your project, Read More »
Introduction to Kenbak-1 Overflow and Carry Registers Kenbak-1 Overflow and Carry Registers will tell us when a math instructions results in a value that is out of range. In this post, we’ll discuss all values in OCTAL. Keep in mind the Kenbak-1 always thinks in BINARY. At the same time, Read More »
Introduction to the Kenbak-1 Jump and Mark (JMD) Instruction The Kenbak-1 Jump and Mark (JMD) allows us to create “Subroutines” that we can use over and over again. Generally, we can use this for delay loops, common math conversions, or anything else we need to do more than once in Read More »
Introduction to Kenbak-1 Basic Commands (OPCODES) Kenbak-1 Basic Commands (OPCODES) allow us to program the Kenbak-1 using “Machine Codes”. The Kenbak-1 is considered to be the very first Personal Computer from 1971! Basically, we’ll only cover the most common commands in this post. In another post, we’ll get into some Read More »
Introduction to The Meaning of TRON When some of us think of The Meaning of TRON, we think of a movie with cartoon-like motorcycles. For others, we think of TRON as being part of the name of a machine with lots of gadgets from an old black and white SciFi Read More »
