rusty_emu/programs

MCS-4 Programs

This directory contains binary program files for the Intel MCS-4 emulator.

Available Programs

fibonacci.bin

• Size: 33 bytes (16 instructions × 2 bytes each + 1 extra byte)
• Description: Basic Fibonacci sequence generator (stores results in RAM)
• Algorithm: Calculates first 8 Fibonacci numbers using registers and RAM
• Instructions Used: LDM, LD, WRM, IAC, ADD, JCN, NOP
• Output: Results stored in RAM locations 0-7 (not visible to user)

fibonacci_output.bin ✨ RECOMMENDED

• Size: 55 bytes (27 instructions × 2 bytes each + 1 extra byte)
• Description: Enhanced Fibonacci sequence generator with output port visibility
• Algorithm: Calculates first 8 Fibonacci numbers and outputs them to output ports
• Instructions Used: LDM, LD, WRM, IAC, ADD, JCN, NOP, SRC
• Output: Each Fibonacci number visible on output ports 0-7 during execution
• Features: Real-time visibility of calculation progress

Usage

Programs are automatically loaded by the emulator. Use the --file option to specify a different program:

# Use default fibonacci program (RAM-based)
cargo run -- --system basic

# Use enhanced fibonacci program with output ports ✨
cargo run -- --system basic --file programs/fibonacci_output.bin

# Use specific program
cargo run -- --system basic --file programs/myprogram.bin

Adding New Programs

1. Create your MCS-4 assembly program
2. Assemble it into raw binary format (big-endian byte pairs)
3. Save as .bin file in this directory
4. Update this README with program details

Program Format

MCS-4 programs are stored as raw binary data where each instruction is represented as 8-bit bytes. Multi-byte instructions (like addresses) use big-endian format.

Program Development Tips

Making Programs Visible

• Use Output Ports: Write results to output ports (0x14-0x17) for visibility
• SRC Instruction: Select output port with SRC before WRM
• Real-time Output: Numbers appear on output ports during execution
• System Monitoring: Watch RAM contents and output port states in real-time

Example Output Port Usage

LDM 5        ; Load value 5
SRC 0        ; Select output port 0
WRM          ; Write to output port 0 (now visible to user)