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{{stub}}
{{Pattern
{{Pattern
|name        = 8-bit programmable computer
|name        = 8-bit programmable computer
|pname        = 8bitcomputer
|pname        = 8bitcomputer
|c            = 1,571,767
|c            = 1571767
|bx          = 311,607
|bx          = 311607
|by          = 303,995
|by          = 303995
|symmetry    = C1
|discoverer  = Nicolas Loizeau
|discoverer  = Nicolas Loizeau
|discoveryear = 2016
|discoveryear = 2016
|rulemin      = B3/S23
|rulemin      = B3/S23
|rulemax      = B3/S23
|rulemax      = B3/S23
|rulespecial  = [[Conway's Game of Life|Conway Life]]
|mc          = true
|mc          = true
}}
}}
'''8-bit programmable computer''' is an implementation of an 8-bit [[universal computer|computer]] in [[Conway's Game of Life]] designed and built in [[:Category:Patterns found in 2016|2016]] by [[Nicolas Loizeau]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conwaylife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=37428#p37428|title=Programmable computer|author=Nicolas Loizeau|date=19 November 2016|accessdate=30 October 2019}}</ref>
'''8-bit programmable computer''' is an implementation of an 8-bit [[universal computer|computer]] in [[Conway's Game of Life]] designed and built in {{year|2016}} by [[Nicolas Loizeau]].<ref name="post37428" /> An improved scalable version of the design with optimized circuitry, a 32x32 pixel display, and instructions to handle arrays was created in {{year|2021}}.<ref name="post136536" />


==Architecture==
== Architecture ==
The computer supports eight variables and 13 instructions -- '''write''', '''goto''', '''move''', '''jumpif''', '''print''', '''add''', '''or''', '''and''', '''xor''', '''not''', '''flat''', '''sign''', and '''increment'''. The computer is programmed by changing the arrangement of structures in its Program area.
The computer supports eight variables and 13 instructions -- '''write''', '''goto''', '''move''', '''jumpif''', '''print''', '''add''', '''or''', '''and''', '''xor''', '''not''', '''flat''', '''sign''', and '''increment'''. The computer is programmed by changing the arrangement of structures in its Program area.


==Comparison with other computer patterns==
The improved version possesses two more instructions, '''shift''' and '''rotate''', as well as a display that uses '''disp''' and '''erase''' instructions.
* The 8-bit programmable computer is considerably simpler than the [[Spartan universal computer-constructor]], in large part because it does not contain a universal-construction component.
* It is easy to program with the help of the associated Python utility script, assembly.py, and associated resources which can be found in the project's GitHub repository.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/nicolasloizeau/gol-computer|title=GOL computer|author=Nicolas Loizeau|date=18 November 2018|accessdate=30 October 2019}}</ref>
* It is capable of performing standard 8-bit AND, OR, XOR, and NOT operations using any of its eight variables.


==References==
== Comparison with other computer patterns ==
<references />
* The 8-bit programmable computer is considerably simpler than the [[Spartan universal computer-constructor]], in large part because it does not contain a [[universal construction]] component.
* It is easy to program with the help of the associated Python utility script, assembly.py, and associated resources which can be found in the project's GitHub repository.
* It is capable of performing standard 8-bit AND, OR, XOR, and NOT operations using any of its eight variables. The improved version can process up to 128 variables, which can be 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit. Additionally, the improved version can use its variables as addresses that can be read from or written to.
 
== References ==
<references>
<ref name="post37428">{{LinkForumThread
|format    = ref
|p              = 37428
|title          = Programmable computer
|author    = Nicolas Loizeau
|date        = November 19, 2016
}}</ref>
<ref name="post136536">{{LinkForumThread
|format    = ref
|p          = 136536
|title      = New scalable programmable computer
|author  = Nicolas Loizeau
|date      = October 12, 2021
}}</ref>
</references>
 
== External links ==
* {{cite web|url=https://github.com/nicolasloizeau/gol-computer|title=GOL computer|author=Nicolas Loizeau|publisher=GitHub}}
* {{cite web|url=https://github.com/nicolasloizeau/scalable-gol-computer|title= Scalable GOL computer|author=Nicolas Loizeau|publisher=GitHub}}

Latest revision as of 12:19, 12 January 2026

8-bit programmable computer
8-bit programmable computer image
Pattern type Miscellaneous
Number of cells 1571767
Bounding box 311607 × 303995
Static symmetry C1
Discovered by Nicolas Loizeau
Year of discovery 2016

8-bit programmable computer is an implementation of an 8-bit computer in Conway's Game of Life designed and built in 2016 by Nicolas Loizeau.[1] An improved scalable version of the design with optimized circuitry, a 32x32 pixel display, and instructions to handle arrays was created in 2021.[2]

Architecture

The computer supports eight variables and 13 instructions -- write, goto, move, jumpif, print, add, or, and, xor, not, flat, sign, and increment. The computer is programmed by changing the arrangement of structures in its Program area.

The improved version possesses two more instructions, shift and rotate, as well as a display that uses disp and erase instructions.

Comparison with other computer patterns

  • The 8-bit programmable computer is considerably simpler than the Spartan universal computer-constructor, in large part because it does not contain a universal construction component.
  • It is easy to program with the help of the associated Python utility script, assembly.py, and associated resources which can be found in the project's GitHub repository.
  • It is capable of performing standard 8-bit AND, OR, XOR, and NOT operations using any of its eight variables. The improved version can process up to 128 variables, which can be 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit. Additionally, the improved version can use its variables as addresses that can be read from or written to.

References

  1. ↑ Nicolas Loizeau (November 19, 2016). Programmable computer (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
  2. ↑ Nicolas Loizeau (October 12, 2021). New scalable programmable computer (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums