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The Project

The goal of this project is to design and build a minicomputer out of discrete components. The challenge is into provide sufficient hardware support for a true (Open Source) operating system than eventually could be ported in a further step.

Porting an operating system so it can run on a proprietary platform is a project per se for which I have no knowledge, no experience. So this is essentially self-educational project. Learning through research and experience in intimate proximity with all implementation details is actually the main objective of this computer project.

06/11/2009

The project is officially on hold until I've gained sufficient experience while designing and building the "pre-computer" termed PREHER/816.

I have broken the project into the following phases. I have not set dead lines because nobody if watting for it, but I can guess it will take quite a long time (one year at least).

Start Date: 05/15/2009

I am thinking of a machine capable of running existing open source software on top of a ported UNIX-like kernel, but this may change. During this period I'll being acquiring the necessary background on computer design and operating system theory.

This phase will end up with specifications for the hardware design.

[End Date: 06/01/2009]

Start Date: 06/02/2009

This phase will end up with a complete and detailed design of the machine's hardware.

This phase will end up with a functional machine with no software support. Code will be entered into memory by hand using the front panel switches. No signs other than LEDs will exists.

The machine built in Phase 3 will serve as a laboratory for testing different software approaches, entered by hand using the front panel switches.

At least one peripheral will be added to the machine for dumping code into memory. I am thinking of a RS232 port but this may change. Being able to dump large amount of code into the machine will allow me to experiment with more sophisticated code. This code, however, will still being assembled by hand.

The manufacturing of development tools starts with this phase. I will be writing an Assembler. The purpose is to initiate my self into this specialized area and to gain experience for further development. Besides, I will need an assembler any ways.

This phase will end up with an Assembler capable of generate machine code for my computer.

In this phase I will be experimenting with development tools such as retargatable C compilers and trying to understand Opens Source Kernel's C code. I am supposed to have a good understanding of operating systems principles from Phase 1, so this is the time to put some hands-on.

At the same time, I will had gained sufficient experience with Linux and its development environment and tools. Must likelly I will be writting software using a Linux computer rather than a Windows one.

This phase will end up with a decision about what operating system to adopt. I am thinking of Minux or other UNIX-like OS but this may change.

New phases will follow but this is not the time to anticipate it.