What is xComputer?

The main window for the program contains three sections:  The Console, the Memory, and the Registers.  The Memory is a scrolling list that displays 1024 memory locations, numbered from 0 to 1023.  Each location contains a 16-bit number that can be interpreted either as data or as a machine language instruction.  The Registers section of the window shows eight registers that are components in the xComputer's Central Processing Unit.  The registers are explained below.  Finally, the Console is for interacting with and controlling the xComputer. For example, program instructions and data can be entered into memory using the Console.

You can also have program windows.  A program window can contain an assembly language program that can be assembled and loaded into memory by using the Load command in the Assembler menu.  You should think of this as a shortcut for typing the program one instruction at a time on the Console.  Another advantage of a program window is that the program you type into it can be saved in a file and later re-opened using the Open command in the File menu.

Very simple programs can be entered directly into the console. Make sure that the box labeled "addr:" contains the address of the location in memory where you want to put the first program instruction.  (This is usually location zero.)  Type the instructions into the box labeled "data:", one at a time; after typing each instruction, press return or click on the "Load Memory" button. If the instruction you typed was legal, it will be entered into memory and the number in the "addr" box will be incremented.

Eck, David. (1996). READ ME (with instructions!). Electronic Document.

Download xComputer for Mac

Architecture

Motorola 68K

Compatibility notes

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Basilisk II