Pdp-8/e Programming Systems

This document serves as an introduction to programming the PDP-8/E computer. It provides fundamental guidelines on memory organization, addressing schemes (including page addressing, direct, and indirect addressing), and the use of the Memory Address (MA) register.

Key topics covered include:

• Memory Addressing: Explains how memory is organized into 128-word pages and the use of Page 0 and current page references.
• Programming Operations: Details common operations such as storing and loading data (using DCA and TAD instructions) and managing program control (using JMP and JMS instructions).
• Subroutines: Describes the use of JMS and indirect JMP instructions for efficient subroutine management.
• Arithmetic and Logic: Explains two's complement arithmetic and the TAD (Two's Complement Add) instruction, as well as logic operations like AND and how to implement OR/XOR using subroutines.
• Indexing: Explains how to use the ISZ instruction and auto-indexing registers (locations 0010–0017) to manage loops and traverse blocks of data.
• Programming Tools: Provides an overview of system programs, including monitors (PS/8, Disk Monitor, TSE), assemblers (PAL-III, PAL-D, MACRO-8, 8K SABR), compilers (FORTRAN, DIBOL), and debuggers (DDT, ODT).
• Data Transfers: Briefly introduces programmed I/O transfers (using flags and IOT instructions) and Program Interrupts, followed by an explanation of Data Break transfers (Direct Memory Access) for high-speed devices.
• System Configurations: Discusses specific "EduSystem" configurations (10 through 50) designed for educational environments and the Storage and Edit System.