Stories with Tag PDP-11

• The earliest versions of the first C compiler known to exist

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  Posted: 2025-03-21 08:17:19

  Verbose tl;dr

  This GitHub repository preserves incredibly early versions of Dennis Ritchie's Portable C Compiler, including pre-1.0 snapshots dating back to the late 1970s. These versions offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of C, showcasing its transition from a research language to the widespread programming powerhouse it became. The repository aims to archive these historically significant artifacts, making them available for study and exploration by those interested in the origins and development of C. It includes various versions for different architectures, providing valuable insights into early compiler design and the challenges of portability in the nascent days of Unix.

  This GitHub repository, titled "legacy-cc," meticulously documents and preserves remarkably early versions of the first C compiler, specifically focusing on pre-1.0 iterations. These nascent compilers, dating back to the formative years of the C language itself, offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of both the language and its compilation process. The repository's author has undertaken the painstaking task of collecting and organizing these historical artifacts, many of which are scattered across various archives and personal collections, providing a centralized and accessible resource for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the origins of C.

  The earliest compiler version present appears to be from 1972, showcasing the nascent state of the compiler technology and the C language itself. These archaic compilers likely represent a pivotal stage in the transition from the B language to C, exhibiting features and syntax that may appear unfamiliar to modern C programmers. The repository's contents likely include not just the compiler executables themselves but also accompanying documentation, source code (where available), and potentially even test suites used during the initial development and refinement of the compiler.

  The significance of this archive lies in its potential to shed light on the design decisions, compromises, and innovations made during C's infancy. By examining these early compilers, one could trace the development of core language features, observe the evolution of code optimization techniques, and perhaps even uncover forgotten or abandoned concepts. The preserved compilers likely represent a unique and invaluable resource for understanding the historical context surrounding the creation of one of the most influential programming languages in computing history, providing crucial insights into the foundation upon which modern systems and software are built. The effort to gather and maintain this collection undoubtedly represents a significant contribution to preserving the history of computer science.

  • C
  • C Compiler
  • compiler
  • History of C
  • legacy code
  • Retrocomputing
  • vintage computing
  • early computing
  • Software History
  • Programming language history
  • Source Code
  • GitHub
  • preservation
  • PDP-7
  • PDP-11

  Summary of Comments ( 97 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43433030

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussed the historical significance of the rediscovered C compiler source code, noting its use of PDP-11 assembly and the challenges of porting it to modern systems due to its tight coupling with the original hardware. Several commenters expressed interest in its educational value for understanding early compiler design and the evolution of C. Some debated the compiler's true "firstness," acknowledging earlier, possibly lost, versions, while others focused on the practical difficulties of building and running such old code. A few users shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with early C compilers and PDP-11 machines, adding a personal touch to the historical discussion. The overall sentiment was one of appreciation for the preservation and sharing of this piece of computing history.

  The Hacker News thread discussing "The earliest versions of the first C compiler known to exist" contains a modest number of comments, primarily focusing on the historical significance of the code and some technical details. No one expresses strong disagreement with the premise of the post.

  Several commenters express fascination and appreciation for the historical context of the code. One user notes the importance of seeing these early versions to understand the evolution of the language and compiler technology. Another marvels at the simplicity and directness of the early code, highlighting the limited hardware resources of the time. A few commenters express a sense of nostalgia, reminiscing about their early experiences with C and PDP-11 systems.

  There's some discussion of the technical aspects of the compiler, including the use of PDP-11 assembly language and the limited optimization strategies employed. One commenter points out the clear connection between the C code and the generated assembly, emphasizing the straightforward nature of the compilation process in these early versions. Another commenter highlights the comment about the lack of register allocation in the oldest version, explaining how this would impact performance.

  A couple of users point out the significance of seeing how features like floating-point support were added incrementally to the compiler. One commenter contrasts the manual optimization efforts required in the past with modern compiler optimization techniques.

  A few commenters provide additional historical context or links to related resources. One user links to an oral history of Dennis Ritchie discussing the development of C. Another mentions the book "Lions' Commentary on UNIX 6th Edition," which provides a detailed analysis of an early Unix kernel, including parts written in C using a similar compiler.

  Overall, the comments demonstrate a shared appreciation for the historical value of the preserved code, reflecting on the evolution of C and the ingenuity of its early developers. While the discussion isn't extensive, it provides valuable insights and context for understanding the significance of this piece of computing history.

• More pro for the DEC Professional 380 (featuring PRO/VENIX)

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  Posted: 2025-03-16 02:31:59

  Verbose tl;dr

  The blog post highlights the DEC Professional 380's strengths as a retrocomputing platform, specifically its ability to run the PRO/VENIX operating system. The author successfully installed and showcases PRO/VENIX 2.0 on the 380, demonstrating its impressive speed and functionality compared to the standard P/OS. The post emphasizes the sleek and responsive nature of PRO/VENIX, particularly its windowing system and overall performance improvements, making the 380 feel like a more modern machine. The author concludes that PRO/VENIX significantly enhances the user experience and opens up new possibilities for the DEC Professional 380.

  This blog post, titled "More pro for the DEC Professional 380 (featuring PRO/VENIX)," delves into the enhanced capabilities and allure of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Professional 380 personal computer, specifically when operating under the PRO/VENIX operating system. The author elaborates on their previous post about the machine, further extolling its virtues and explaining why it has become their preferred retrocomputing environment.

  The central theme revolves around the seamless integration of PRO/VENIX, a licensed version of the Unix System V operating system, with the Professional 380's hardware. This synergy, according to the author, elevates the 380 from a somewhat obscure and underappreciated machine to a powerful and highly enjoyable vintage computing experience. The author highlights the stability and responsiveness of PRO/VENIX, contrasting it with the more common MS-DOS environment typically associated with the Professional 380. They detail the ease with which they installed the operating system from original floppy disks, a process facilitated by the well-preserved condition of the media.

  Furthermore, the post emphasizes the rich software ecosystem available for PRO/VENIX, making the Professional 380 a versatile platform capable of fulfilling a variety of retrocomputing tasks. The author specifically mentions the availability and functionality of tools like troff, nroff, and the C compiler, indicating the system's suitability for document processing and software development. They underscore the satisfaction derived from using these tools in an authentic historical context, experiencing computing as it was in the past.

  The author also provides a visual tour of the system in operation, showcasing screenshots of various applications and the command-line interface. These images serve to illustrate the clean and efficient user interface of PRO/VENIX and further reinforce the author’s positive impressions. The overall tone of the post is one of enthusiastic rediscovery, presenting the DEC Professional 380 with PRO/VENIX not just as a functional vintage computer, but as a captivating and rewarding glimpse into the history of computing. The author concludes by expressing a renewed appreciation for this particular combination of hardware and software, solidifying its place as a preferred choice among their collection of retrocomputing systems.

  • DEC
  • Professional 380
  • PDP-11
  • PRO/VENIX
  • unix
  • Operating System
  • Retrocomputing
  • vintage computing
  • Minicomputer
  • 1980s Computers
  • computer history
  • Digital Equipment Corporation

  Summary of Comments ( 4 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43376570

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the DEC Professional 380, primarily focusing on its historical significance and the PRO/VENIX operating system. Several commenters reminisce about using the machine, praising its then-advanced features and performance. Some highlight its role in bridging the gap between minicomputers and personal computers. The robustness of the hardware and the positive experience with PRO/VENIX are recurring themes. There's also mention of its connection to the VT100 terminal and how the 380 compared to other systems like the IBM PC and the Apple II. A few commenters express surprise at the system's relative obscurity, given its capabilities.

  The Hacker News post titled "More pro for the DEC Professional 380 (featuring PRO/VENIX)" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the DEC Professional 380 and its historical context.

  One commenter expresses nostalgia for the machine, recalling its use with VT100 terminals and reflecting on its role as a bridge between the PDP-11 world and the then-emerging IBM PC compatible market. They specifically mention the PRO/ToolKit assembler and linker, reminiscing about its power and efficiency.

  Another commenter delves into the technical details of the Professional 380's architecture, highlighting the use of the PDP-11's FPU and the challenges involved in porting VENIX, a Unix-like operating system, to the machine. This comment provides insight into the complexities of software development during that era.

  A subsequent comment chain focuses on the operating systems available for the Professional 380, mentioning both VENIX and Microsoft XENIX. Commenters discuss the licensing costs associated with XENIX, contrasting it with the relative affordability of VENIX. The discussion further touches upon the competitive landscape of the time, comparing the Professional 380 with the IBM PC and its clones, and considering DEC's overall market strategy.

  Another commenter shifts the focus to the Professional 350, a related model, and its use of the PDP-11/23 processor. They mention specific details like the use of a DC-powered hard drive and the prevalence of these machines in the newspaper industry. This adds another dimension to the conversation, illustrating the diverse applications of DEC's Professional series.

  Finally, the thread includes a brief exchange about the scarcity of information on the Professional series online, with one commenter suggesting the existence of a dedicated website with more detailed resources. This underscores the historical significance of these machines and the ongoing interest in preserving their legacy.