Friday, July 13, 2012

The gallery of obsolete computer technology

Popular demand was for me to post the "How to write C in Ada" thing I have squirreled away.  Unfortunately, it seems that it's secret squirreled away, because I haven't found it yet.  But I did find this.  The kids won't understand any of this, but old farts like me might get a chuckle.

Unfortunate Assembler Commands

DO        Divide and Overflow
RASC    Read And Shred Card
SRSD    Seek Record and Scar Disc
BST      Backspace and Stretch Tape
RIRG    Read Inter-Record Gap
HCF     Halt and Catch Fire
BPO     Branch on Power Off
RCR     Rewind Card Reader
SRCD   Seek Record and Score Drum
RD       Rewind Drum
PD       Punch Drum
PO       Punch Operator
FCJ     Feed Card and Jam (note: I had a bunch of these, Back In The Day)
LC      Loop Continuous (sadly, I had more than a couple of these, too)

12 comments:

  1. Quite obviously you have a RISC device.


    AAAH Add And Automatically Halt
    AAC Alter All Commands
    AAN Add Ad Nauseam
    AAR Alter At Random
    AARTZ Add And Reset To Zero
    AB Add Backwards
    ACM Automatically Clear Memory
    ADG Add Garbage
    AIB Attack Innocent Bystander
    ARRN Add and Reset to Random Number
    AWTT Assemble With Tinker Toys
    BAC Branch to Alpha Centauri
    BAF Blow All Fuses
    BAFL Branch And Flush
    BAH Branch And Hang
    BB Branch on Bug
    BBBF Branch on Bit Bucket Full
    BBC Branch Before Compare
    BBIL Branch on Blown Indicator Light
    BBL Branch on Burnt Out Light
    BBO Branch on Bathtub Overflow
    BBT Branch on Binary Tree
    BBW Branch Both Ways
    BCF Branch on chip box full
    BCH Branch on carry flag at half mast
    BCIL Branch Creating Infinite Loop
    BD Backspace Disk
    BDC Break Down and Cry
    BDT Burn Data Tree
    BEW Branch Either Way
    BF Belch Fire
    BFA Branch to False Assumption
    BH Branch and Hang
    BKCRDR Backspace Card Reader
    BKO Branch and Kill Operator
    BKSPD Backspace Disk
    BKTPIR Break Tape In Reverse
    BLI Branch if Loop Infinite
    BLMNF BLow Main Fuse
    BLPIN Branch and Loop Indefinite
    BMR Branch Multiple Registers
    BOB Branch On Bug
    BOBI Branch On Blinking Indicator
    BOBOI Branch On Blown Indicator
    BOCBF Branch On Chip-Box Full
    BOD Beat On Drum
    BOHP Bribe Operator for Higher Priority
    BOI Byte Operator Immediately
    BOPLT Burn Out Pilot Lights
    BOPO Branch On Power Off
    BOSO Branch On Sleepy Operator
    BOXMS Branch On Index Missing
    BPB Branch on Program Bug
    BPDI Be Polite, Don't Interrupt
    BPE Bypass Program Error
    BPECK Bypass Error Check
    BPM Branch on the Phase of the Moon
    BPO Branch on Power Off
    BRPCB Burp and Clear Bytes
    BRSS Branch on Sunspot
    BS Branch Sometimes
    BSC Branch on Short Circuit
    BSCH Break Selected Channel
    BSO Branch on sleepy operator
    BST Backspace and Stretch Tape
    BTI Blow Trumpet Immediately
    BW Branch on Whim
    BYCRE Bypass Core

    ReplyDelete
  2. CBS Crash Bothersome Source-code
    CDC Close Disk Cover
    CDHI Crash Disk Head Immediate
    CDIOOAZ Calm Down, It's Only Ones And Zeroes
    CEMU Close Eyes and Monkey With User Space
    CH Creat Havoc
    CIRM Circulate Memory
    CLBR Clobber Register
    CLBRI Clobber Register Immediately
    CM Circulate Memory
    CMBG Create Machine Bug
    CMD Compare Meaningless Data
    CML Compute Meaning of Life
    CNB Cause Nervous Breakdown
    CNFM Confuse Memory
    CNFOP Confuse Operator
    COLB Crash for Operator's Lunch Break
    CPAR Crumple Paper and Rip
    CPB Create Program Bug
    CRASH Continue Running After Stop or Halt
    CRB Crash and Burn
    CRDT CReate Data
    CRE Create Random Error
    CRN Convert to Roman Numerals
    CS Crash System
    CSL Curse and Swear Loudly
    CTRNS Convert To Roman Numerals
    CU Convert to Unary
    CUN Cancel all User Numbers
    CVG Convert to Garbage
    CVUME Cover Up Machine Errors
    CWOM Complement Write-Only Memory
    CZZC Convert Zone to Zip Code
    DAC Divide and Crash
    DADL Disable Address and Data Lines
    DAMIT Transfer Control to Perdition
    DAO Divide and Overflow
    DAX Divide and Explode
    DBTP Drop Back Ten and Punt
    DBZ Divide By Zero
    DC Divide and Conquer
    DCTCB Dump Core To Chad Box
    DD Destroy disk
    DDC Dally During Calculations
    DMWH Dump Map of Western Hemisphere
    DESSPK Destroy Storage Protect Key
    DEVIA Develop Ineffective Address
    DITCK Drop Into Check
    DLN Don't Look Now...
    DLTCR Delete Core
    DMNS Do What I Mean, Not What I Say
    DMPE Decide to Major in Phys Ed.
    DMPK Destroy Memory Protect Key
    DMV Double Mains Voltage
    DNPG Do Not Pass Go
    DO Divide and Overflow
    DOC Drive Operator Crazy
    DPGM Destroy Program
    DPK Destroy Storage Protect Key
    DPMI Declare Programmer Mentally Incompetent
    DRPBTS Drop Bits
    DSTME Destroy Memory
    DTC Destroy This Command
    DTE Decrement Telephone Extension
    DTVFL Destroy Third Variable From Left
    DW Destroy World
    DZSR Divide by Zero and Store Remainder
    EBB Edit and Blank Buffer
    ECO Electrocute Computer Operator
    ECP Erase card punch
    ED Eject disk
    EDB Execute Disable Bit
    EDPMAB Electrocute DP Manager And Branch
    EFD Emulate Frisbee Using Disk Pack
    EIAO Execute In Any Order
    EIOC Execute Invalid Opcode
    EIS Encrypt Instruction Set
    EJCAB Eject Chad Box
    EJD Eject Disk
    EMCP Eject Math Co-processor
    EMPC Emulate Pocket Calculator
    EMSE Edit and Mark Something Else
    EMW Emulate Maytag Washer
    EN Emulate Nintendo
    ENF Emit Noxious Fumes
    EP Execute Programmer
    EPE Execute Program Error
    EPI Execute Programmer Immediately
    EPMAS Erase Protected Memory Areas
    ERCDP Erase Card Punch
    ERCDS Erase Cards
    ERD Eject Removable Disk
    EROS Erase Read-Only Storage
    ERPTW Erase Print Wheel
    ERROS Erase Read Only Storage
    ETCRD Eat Card
    EXIOC Execute Invalid Op Code
    EXOP Execute Operator
    EXOPI Execute Operator Immediately

    ReplyDelete
  3. FDCDJ Feed Card and Jam
    FLI Flash Lights Impressively
    FSG Fill Screen with Garbage
    FSM Fold, Spindle and Mutilate
    GCAR Get Correct Answer Regardless
    GDP Grin Defiantly at Programmer
    GFD Go Forth and Divide
    GFM Go Forth and Multiply
    GLPSB Gulp and Store Bytes
    GPAER Generate Parity Error
    HCF Halt and catch fire
    HCP Hide Central Processor
    HSO Halt and Sterilize Operator
    IAD Illogical AND
    IAE Ignore All Exceptions
    IAI Inquire And Ignore
    IBP Insert Bug and Proceed
    IFKTR Initiate Fake-out Routine
    IGSPC Ignore Supervisor Call
    II Interrupt and ignore
    IIB Ignore Inquiry and Branch
    IISH Ignore Interrupt And Hang
    IL Infinite loop
    ILLAD Illogical AND
    ILLOR Illogical OR
    ILPS Invert Logical Power Supply
    INVRB Invert Record and Branch
    IOR Illogical OR
    IPS Ignite Power Supply
    IRB Invert record and branch
    IRT Ignore write-protect tab
    ISC Insert Sarcastic Comments
    ISR Illogical Shift to the Right
    ITLKC Interlock Core
    JDO Jump and Destroy Operator
    JMKYP Jam Keypunches
    JTC Jump To Conclusions
    JTZ Jump to Twilight Zone
    KCE Kill Consultant on Error
    LAP Laugh At Programmer
    LCC Load and Clear Core
    LED Load and Erase Data
    LGOWY Load and Go Away
    LHOS Load Hostile Operating System
    LIA Load Ineffective Address
    LMB Lose Message and Branch
    LPA Lead Programmer Astray
    LPCON Loop Continuous
    LRI Lose Register Immediate
    MAZ Multiply Answer by Zero
    MBF Multiply and be Fruitful
    MDB Multiply and Drop Bits
    MDRBT Move and Drop Bits
    MLR Move and Lose Record
    MST Mount Scotch Tape
    MTI Make Tape Invalid
    MVAR Move to Random Address
    MVCON Move Continuous
    MVLR Move and Lose Record
    MVWRC Move and Wrap Core
    MW Malfunction Whenever
    MWAG Make Wild-Assed Guess
    MWC Move and warp core
    MWT Malfunction Without Telling

    ReplyDelete
  4. NPN No program necessary
    OCS Overwrite code segment
    OHS Order Ham Sandwich
    OOHH Only On Half-hours
    OOS Override operating system
    P$*! Punch Obsenity
    PBC Print and Break Chain
    PBS Pop Before Stacking
    PCHD Punch Disk
    PCHOP Punch Operator
    PD Play Dead
    PDKBN Punch Disk Binary
    PDM Play Drum Memory
    PDSK Punch Disk
    PEHC Punch Extra Holes in Cards
    PFD Punt on Fourth Down
    PINV Punch Invalid
    PLSC Perform Light Show on Console
    PM Punch Memory
    PNRP Print Nasty Replies to Programmer
    PO Punch operator
    POCL Punch Out Console Lights
    POF Print On Fly
    POPI Punch Operator Immediately
    PPS Push or Pop Stack
    PPSW Pack Program Status Word
    PRANB Pick up Random Bits
    PRSMR Print and Smear
    PS!@* Print Obscenity
    PSD Pause and smoke dope
    PSI Print and Smear Ink
    PVLC Punch Variable Length Card
    RA Randomize Answer
    RASC Read and Shred Card
    RBAFG Read Binary And Forget
    RBT Rewind and Break Tape
    RCB Read Command Backwards
    RCDRD Rewind Card Reader
    RCDSCD Read Card and Scramble Data
    RCR Rewind card reader
    RCS Read card and scramble data
    RCSD Read Card and Scramble Deck
    RCTKG Read Count Key and Garbage
    RD Reverse Direction
    RDA Refuse to Disclose Answer
    RDB Run Disk Backwards
    RDBR Read Bad Record
    RDCBX Read Chad Box
    RDCHS Read Chaos
    RDI Reverse Disk Immediate
    RDIRG Read Inter Record Gap
    RDS Read Sideways
    REDTH Reduce Throughput
    REIMT Reinitialize Meter
    REPAB Reverse Parity And Branch
    REWFR Rewind Forward
    RID Read Invalid Data
    RIM Read Instruction Manual
    RIODNR Rotate Input/Output Device Numbers Randomly
    RLI Rotate Left Indefinitely
    RNR Read Noise Record
    ROC Randomize Op Codes
    ROLPR Rewind On-Line Printer
    ROM Read operator's mind
    ROO Rub Out Operator
    RPBL Read Print and Blush
    RPI Reverse Priority of Interrupts
    RPLT Read from Plotter
    RPM Read Programmer's Mind
    RPTR Read from Printer
    RRCR Rotate Right Cash Register
    RRR Read Record and Run Away
    RRR Rotate Right Randomly
    RRT Record and Rip Tape
    RSC Read and Shred Card
    RSC Rewind System Clock
    RSD Read and Scramble Data
    RSD Read and Self Destruct
    RSO Resume on stack overflow
    RSTOM Read From Store-only Memory
    RT Reduce throughput
    RTS Return To Sender
    RVDOD Reverse Drum Or Disk
    RVDRI Reverse Drum Immediate
    RWBKT Rewind and Break Tape
    RWCR Rewind Card Reader
    RWDSK Rewind Disk
    RWM Rewind Memory
    RWRT Read While Ripping Tape
    RWTOD Rewind Tape Onto Disk
    RWWRT Read and Write While Ripping Tape

    ReplyDelete
  5. SAI Skip All Instructions
    SARTZ Subtract And Reset To Zero
    SAS Sit And Spin
    SC Scramble channels
    SCCA Short Circuit on Correct Answer
    SCCHS Scramble Channels
    SCDTA Scatter Data
    SCMRY Scatter Memory
    SCPR Scatter Print Record
    SCPSW Scatter Program Status Word
    SD Scatter Deck
    SDRB Search and Destroy Register Byte
    SFH Set Flags to Half-mast
    SFRA Skip Forms and Run Away
    SFT Stall For Time
    SHAB Shift a Bit
    SHLBM Shift a Little Bit More
    SHLPN Sharpen Light Pencil
    SKRSD Seek Record and Scratch Disk
    SLC Shift Left Continuous
    SLD Slip Disk
    SLP Sharpen Light Pen
    SMR Skip on Meaningless Result
    SNC Skip Next Command
    SOS Sign off, Stupid
    SOSAJ Select Output Stacker And Jam
    SOT Sit on a Tack
    SPOFF Switch processor off
    SPON Switch processor on
    SPRDK Shuffle Program Deck
    SPS Set Panel Switches
    SPSW Scramble Program Status Word
    SPT Scramble Protected Tapes
    SQPC Sit Quietly and Play With Your Crayons
    SQSW Scramble Program Status Word
    SRCC Select Reader and Chew Cards
    SRDR Shift Right Double Ridiculous
    SRSD Seek Record and Scratch Disk
    SRZ Subtract and Reset to Zero
    SSD Seek and Scratch Disk
    SSJ Select Stacker and Jam
    SST Stop and Stretch Tape
    STA Store Anywhere
    STB Stretch Tape Binary
    STROM Store in Read-only Memory
    STUP Stacker Upset
    TAB Throw away byte
    TADBT Transfer And Drop Bits
    TAM Transfer Accumulator to Minneapolis
    TARC Take Arithmetic Review Course
    TCLSR Transfer Control and Lose Return
    TCTDK Transfer Control To Disk
    TCTOL Transfer Control To Overhead Lights
    TCTPL Transfer Control To Pilot Lights
    TCTWS Transfer Control To Wall Socket
    TDB Transfer and Drop Bits
    TLO Turn Indicator Lights Off
    TMTDK Transfer Monitor To Disk
    TN Take a Nap
    TPDEC Triple Pack Decimal
    TPDH Tell Programmer to Do it Him/Herself
    TPF Turn Power Off
    TPN Turn Power On
    TPO Turn power off
    TPR Tear Paper
    TRAHG Transfer And Hang
    TRDB Transfer And Drop Bits
    TRSCH Trap Secretary and Halt
    TSE Test and Swap if Equal
    TSTT Test a Bit for Two
    TTA Try, Try Again
    TVT Test vacuum tubes
    UCB Uncouple CPU and Branch
    UCCS Use Chinese Character Set
    UER Update and Erase Record
    UINDA Use Inverse Digital Array
    ULDA Unload Accumulator
    UMH Use Mains Voltage as Logic High
    UP Understand Program
    UPC Uncouple Program Counter
    UPCI Update Card In Place
    UPERR Update and Erase Record
    WB Wait for Bus
    WBT Water Binary Tree
    WCTKG Write Count Key and Garbage
    WED Write and Erase Data
    WEMG Write Eighteen Minute Gap
    WF Wait Forever
    WHFO Wait Until Hell Freezes Over
    WI Write Illegibly
    WID Write Invalid Data
    WMTAE Write Memory, Transfer, And Erase
    WNR Write Noise Record
    WPM Write Programmer's Mind
    WRC Write on Read-Cycle
    WRS Write to ROM storage
    WSWW Work in Strange and Wonderous Ways
    WWLR Write Wrong-Length Record
    XIO Execute Invalid Opcode
    XIP Execute Invalid Program
    XMAS Execute Main Areas of Storage
    XNH Execute No-op and Hang
    XPR Execute Programmer
    XSP Execute Systems Programmer
    XUI Execute Undefined Instruction
    ZAR Zero Any Register

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can barely remember what these commands are *supposed* to do, but I swear, sometimes the listed description sure looked like what they were *actually* doing!

    Yeah... I programmed in Assembler. Waaaaaay back when. Using punchcards, and waiting for output from the "express" printer.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOL, brings back memories... I 'think'...

    ReplyDelete
  8. You guys forgot a couple of my favorites:

    MO - Mount Operator
    DTRT - Do The Right Thing

    Other than a quarter of FORTRAN in school (which counted as a foreign language credit!), all of my programming has been on micros. My first project as a full timer used the RCA 1802 processor, which was used by the dozens at JPL. All the deep space probes in the 80s and 90s had 'em on board because they were inherently more resistant to radiation than anything else available at the time.

    The 1802 had an instruction we called Halt and Catch Fire. What it actually did was decrement the instruction pointer. Which the processor would then increment, fetch the same instruction, and do it again. It was the world's tightest infinite loop.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dave! The 1802 was on the COSMAC VIP! I wonder if any of those dev boards still run?

    ReplyDelete
  10. GBBL: They probably do if you blow the dust and mouse droppings off of them. They were pretty simple systems.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You guys crack me up. You're as geeky as I am.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow. I retired my last tape system a year ago, but still do have a device that punches. Granted, now it's at least to a file on a PC not 1" paper, but I still got a hell of a laugh from this one.

    ReplyDelete

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