Pdp-8/e Instruction Test 1

This document serves as the technical documentation and listing for the PDP-8/E Instruction Test 1, a diagnostic program created by the Diagnostic Group at Digital Equipment Corporation on May 10, 1971.

Summary:

• Purpose: This diagnostic program is designed specifically to test the AND, TAD, OPERATE, and basic MQ instructions of the PDP-8/E computer.
• Requirements: The test requires a PDP-8/E equipped with a teletype. It utilizes memory locations 0000–5314 and must be stored in the last memory page.
• Methodology: The program performs a series of individual, sequential tests. In most cases, each test checks one function at a time, building upon previously verified functions.
• Operation: The program is loaded using the standard binary loader. The operator sets the starting address (0200), hits the "Load Address" switch, sets the Switch Register (SR) to 7777, and initiates the program.
• Error Handling: The program halts upon encountering an error, at which point the operator can inspect the AC and memory. Error recovery involves replacing specific instructions with a jump (JMP) back to the start of the test to create a loop for troubleshooting.
• Feedback: The teletype bell rings approximately every five seconds to indicate the program is running.