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Old September 22nd 19, 04:25 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.windows7.general,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.chips,comp.sys.intel,alt.comp.hardware.amd.x86-64
pyotr filipivich
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Default What is the absolute smallest instruction set do you need to make a working computer?

VanguardLH on Sun, 22 Sep 2019 01:26:19 -0500 typed in
alt.windows7.general the following:
Yousuf Khan wrote:

What's your guess? 100 instructions? 50 instructions? 10? Would you
believe just 1 instruction!? And that instruction is implied, you don't
even need an opcode for that! And you're not going to believe what that
one instruction is either! This video explains how it's possible.

https://youtu.be/jRZDnetjGuo


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_in...n_set_computer
Concept proposed back in 1956.

It is a computational model used for teaching. It would be too slow for
physical implementation. That it can be done doesn't mean anyone cares.


Martin Gardner had an article about a "theoretical" 'primitive
computer using pulleys and ropes in place of transistors (or tubes).
In theory it would work, in practice there would be too much
imprecision from the slack/stretch in the ropes for it to work.

--
pyotr filipivich
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