Pdp-8/E Instruction Test 2

This document is a technical manual and program listing for the PDP-8/E Instruction Test 2, a diagnostic program used to test the functionality of a PDP-8/E computer.

Summary:

• Purpose: The program performs an extensive test of Autoindexing, Indirect Addressing, and the DCA (Deposit Accumulator) instruction. It also provides minimal testing for interrupt operations and several core instructions (AND, TAD, ISZ, JMS, JMP, and processor IOT instructions).
• Requirements: The program requires a PDP-8/E system equipped with a Teletype. It occupies memory locations 0000–4416 and assumes the standard binary loader is present in the last memory page. It is recommended to run the MAINDEC-8E-D0A(N) diagnostic successfully before this test.
• Operation: The test is composed of a series of small, independent tests. If an error is detected, the program halts. Operators can use an oscilloscope to find specific faults by inserting a JUMP instruction to loop on the failing test segment.
• Indicators: The Teletype bell rings approximately every five seconds to confirm that the program is running correctly.
• Structure: The document includes operating instructions, a summary of test classifications (DCA, Indirect Addressing, Autoindex, Processor IOT, and Interrupt tests), and the full assembly language source code listing for the diagnostic.