Tag: retrocomputer
-
Synthetic CPU first tests
In the last post, Building the synthetic CPU, I expected the CPU, running a machine code version of the Mandelbrot test, to run at least 10x faster. Well, here’s the test: It ran in 4ms, and the original, SoapyBASIC interpreted version runs in about 50ms. So I’m happy with that. My synthetic CPU does an…
-
Building the synthetic CPU
Following on the last post, I’m keeping focus on the plan, which is to move SoapyBASIC from an interpreter written in Swift to a compiler written in Swift, tagging an Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) that I need to design, and of course the CPU to implement that ISA. The ISA Three weeks in to 2025…
-
Is it still BASIC without GOTO?
Since I started, I wobbled a number of times between a semantically messy 1980s style interpreted BASIC with line numbers and liberal use of GOTO/GOSUB and a slightly more modern version, block structuring, strict semantics, strong typing, but extensive type inference. To me, BASIC will forever be: So, line numbers, no extraneous space and GOTO…
-
SoapyBASIC and long-term passion projects
An old techie’s desire to build the fantasy home computer from the 1980s