Table of Content  Branch Up  

Separation between Hardware and Software

From the operational point of view, there is no "built-in" software in the LC-81. On power-on or reset, the machine does not "boot", it rather goes to Halt mode and nothing else happens until the Operator operates the computer's front panel (Console) to enter or run Software from some place.

Software usually come from tape, but part of it resides in the Master Controller's EPROM, notably an Absolute Loader program that serves to bring software from external media into LC-81 memory. To start this or any other program, the Operator must enter its address in the Console, press the Load button, then the Start button. Software can also be entered into memory directly from the computer's Console, byte after byte, in binary.