Pdp-8/e Instruction Test 1

This document serves as the technical documentation for a diagnostic program designed to test the instructions of the PDP-8/E computer, specifically focusing on the AND, TAD, OPERATE, and basic MQ instructions.

Key details include:

• Purpose: To verify correct functionality of specific processor instructions through a series of sequential tests.
• Requirements: A PDP-8/E system equipped with a teletype. The program uses memory locations 0000–5314.
• Operation: The program is loaded using the standard binary loader. Users initiate the test by setting the switch register to 0200, loading the address, and then setting the register to 7777 before pressing clear and continue.
• Execution: The program runs continuously until an error is encountered or the user stops it. A teletype bell rings approximately every 5 seconds to indicate progress (after every 1448 passes).
• Error Handling: If an error occurs, the program halts. Users can troubleshoot by replacing specific instructions with a jump command to loop through the failing test segment.
• Testing Sequence: The diagnostic covers operate functions, the TAD instruction, rotate functions, the BSW instruction, group 1 and 2 operate instructions, MQ instructions, and the AND instruction.