#transputer — Public Fediverse posts

Progress on the #Transputer emulator release has been somewhat delayed, as whilst building the iServer stdio library for use by @nanochess 's Small-C compiler, I decided to study the compiler in detail (I think it's assuming a certain initial setup, which doesn't quite match what my boot loader provides). It's quite a 'rabbit hole' to fall into! A related side-quest is searching for a copy of Hendrix' "Small-C Compiler Handbook", which seems to be unavailable online. :( ...

Progress on the #Transputer emulator release has been somewhat delayed, as whilst building the iServer stdio library for use by @nanochess 's Small-C compiler, I decided to study the compiler in detail (I think it's assuming a certain initial setup, which doesn't quite match what my boot loader provides). It's quite a 'rabbit hole' to fall into! A related side-quest is searching for a copy of Hendrix' "Small-C Compiler Handbook", which seems to be unavailable online. :( ...

… Currently assembling test programs using my macro assembler rather than Small-C’s assembler, mostly because it emits a detailed listing showing where everything is in the memory. (My macro assembler was built to mimic Microsoft Macro Assembler 6, but with the #Transputer instruction set, and its listing output is invaluable in tracking obscure executions) …

… Currently assembling test programs using my macro assembler rather than Small-C’s assembler, mostly because it emits a detailed listing showing where everything is in the memory. (My macro assembler was built to mimic Microsoft Macro Assembler 6, but with the #Transputer instruction set, and its listing output is invaluable in tracking obscure executions) …

Wow, August already, where did July go?

Getting a bit closer to a release of my #Transputer emulator, now I have a fairly rapid edit/build/run/frustration cycle going with my IServer stdio library for Small-C involving macOS and a 32-bit Debian VM running in UTM. This is to run the compiler on a 32-bit system: it isn’t working on 64-bit, I have ideas why. Once stdio is done, I can run the compiler (and its assembler) on the emulator itself. …

Wow, August already, where did July go?

Getting a bit closer to a release of my #Transputer emulator, now I have a fairly rapid edit/build/run/frustration cycle going with my IServer stdio library for Small-C involving macOS and a 32-bit Debian VM running in UTM. This is to run the compiler on a 32-bit system: it isn’t working on 64-bit, I have ideas why. Once stdio is done, I can run the compiler (and its assembler) on the emulator itself. …

Fixed a couple of subtle bugs in my #Transputer boot loader. Inching closer to running a C version of “Hello world” :) *

Then… world domination. Muhahahaaaa!

* produced with an entirely open toolchain, no binary blobs of Inmos C compilers etc.

Fixed a couple of subtle bugs in my #Transputer boot loader. Inching closer to running a C version of “Hello world” :) *

Then… world domination. Muhahahaaaa!

* produced with an entirely open toolchain, no binary blobs of Inmos C compilers etc.

A Look at a Gaggle of Transputer Boards

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/06/25/a-look-at-a-gaggle-of-transputer-boards/

Trying to get my #Transputer emulator build system optimised. Used to deploy all parts to maven central before building each platform’s archives, but this was a bit heavy, so now trying a local nexus server that I’ll deploy to. Still prefer Jenkins & Maven to do build work - Docker and GitHub actions are probably The Modern Way, but feel really hacky. I’ve resisted monorepos for this whole project.. I’ve.. seen things.. you people wouldn’t believe…
Modularity over mudularity, every time.

Trying to get my #Transputer emulator build system optimised. Used to deploy all parts to maven central before building each platform’s archives, but this was a bit heavy, so now trying a local nexus server that I’ll deploy to. Still prefer Jenkins & Maven to do build work - Docker and GitHub actions are probably The Modern Way, but feel really hacky. I’ve resisted monorepos for this whole project.. I’ve.. seen things.. you people wouldn’t believe…
Modularity over mudularity, every time.

RE: https://digipres.club/@philpem/116613275145567112

There's an approach to Conway's Game of Life which computes small rectangular tiles of results, with a cunning coordinate transformation such that each tile depends on just 4 predecessor-neighbours instead of 9.

The larger the tile, the less communication between neighbours.

This might be a good match for a small transputer network.

We made a nice 6502 version for the BBC Micro with 64k second processor - not as a general network, but separating compute from display.

Thread here
Conway's Game of Life for Atom, Beeb, Elk? https://stardot.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12010

and see also
Conway's Life on 6502 https://6502.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4293

Here's a 6502 life (expanded 6502 memory space) running a Turing Machine pattern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjUb8g2kED0

#bbcmicro #gol #mos6502 #transputer #retrocomputing

@philpem
@anachrocomputer

RE: https://digipres.club/@philpem/116613275145567112

There's an approach to Conway's Game of Life which computes small rectangular tiles of results, with a cunning coordinate transformation such that each tile depends on just 4 predecessor-neighbours instead of 9.

The larger the tile, the less communication between neighbours.

This might be a good match for a small transputer network.

We made a nice 6502 version for the BBC Micro with 64k second processor - not as a general network, but separating compute from display.

Thread here
Conway's Game of Life for Atom, Beeb, Elk? https://stardot.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12010

and see also
Conway's Life on 6502 https://6502.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4293

Here's a 6502 life (expanded 6502 memory space) running a Turing Machine pattern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjUb8g2kED0

#bbcmicro #gol #mos6502 #transputer #retrocomputing

@philpem
@anachrocomputer

Fixed a few build system issues on the #Transputer emulator yesterday, mostly around Windows’ idiosyncrasies. The COM: link abstraction compiles; need to test against a Pi Pico. The async link code & tests aren’t building there; didn’t have the strength to resolve it last night, but will attempt again today, after some #HamRadio shenanigans I think. Also got stuck in to Lara Alcock’s “How to think about Analysis” (very good series of books) as part of “return to undergrad maths over 40 years”.

Fixed a few build system issues on the #Transputer emulator yesterday, mostly around Windows’ idiosyncrasies. The COM: link abstraction compiles; need to test against a Pi Pico. The async link code & tests aren’t building there; didn’t have the strength to resolve it last night, but will attempt again today, after some #HamRadio shenanigans I think. Also got stuck in to Lara Alcock’s “How to think about Analysis” (very good series of books) as part of “return to undergrad maths over 40 years”.

Slides eines Talks über Transputer aus 2013. Zwei Seiten Quellen und Links, die Titel im Verzeichnis sind vielversprechend. Locker die Hälfte der Links sind 2026 kaputt, Dokumente, Seiten oder ganze Sites verschwunden. Ja, Wayback-Machine existiert, ist aber teilweise mühsam und kennt auch nicht mehr alles. Ich mache mir mittlerweile von jedem Schnipsel, den ich später mal vielleicht noch brauchen könnte, ein PDF für das lokale Archiv. #transputer #vintagecomputing

Slides eines Talks über Transputer aus 2013. Zwei Seiten Quellen und Links, die Titel im Verzeichnis sind vielversprechend. Locker die Hälfte der Links sind 2026 kaputt, Dokumente, Seiten oder ganze Sites verschwunden. Ja, Wayback-Machine existiert, ist aber teilweise mühsam und kennt auch nicht mehr alles. Ich mache mir mittlerweile von jedem Schnipsel, den ich später mal vielleicht noch brauchen könnte, ein PDF für das lokale Archiv. #transputer #vintagecomputing

I've spent days trying to work out why Inmos TDS3 compresses all its output onto one line on RISC OS. Turns out it's a TDS bug!
If TDS hadn't been open-sourced I'd never have found it.

If the GOTO X/Y definition in the ITERM (termcap) file ends with a X or Y coordinate substitution, its offset parameter will be sent as a literal byte instead of the coordinate!

The workaround is to end the definition with at least one literal character, e.g. a null.

#transputer #transputers #retrocomputing

I've spent days trying to work out why Inmos TDS3 compresses all its output onto one line on RISC OS. Turns out it's a TDS bug!
If TDS hadn't been open-sourced I'd never have found it.

If the GOTO X/Y definition in the ITERM (termcap) file ends with a X or Y coordinate substitution, its offset parameter will be sent as a literal byte instead of the coordinate!

The workaround is to end the definition with at least one literal character, e.g. a null.

#transputer #transputers #retrocomputing

@Kroc @psf I’m intending my #transputer emulator project to do this. Code running on the emulated CPU is connected over a link to another system that has the screen attached. A simple protocol over that link allows the code to access host resources, including terminal (and later, graphics). When I have an OS, & a display, that same protocol can be implemented by on the transputer, making it all self-contained.

@Kroc @psf I’m intending my #transputer emulator project to do this. Code running on the emulated CPU is connected over a link to another system that has the screen attached. A simple protocol over that link allows the code to access host resources, including terminal (and later, graphics). When I have an OS, & a display, that same protocol can be implemented by on the transputer, making it all self-contained.

Have been contemplating displays for forthcoming #Transputer emulator-driven devices. I looked at resolutions...

Have been contemplating displays for forthcoming #Transputer emulator-driven devices. I looked at resolutions...

Riding the TRAM! #transputer #retrocomputing

Riding the TRAM! #transputer #retrocomputing

@timixretroplays Just found this on AliExpress - thanks! - and each board is SEVENTY FIVE UK PENCE WITH FREE SHIPPING. I’m building my #transputer emulation system with Pi Picos, and if I can get PIO working off something this small, I’ll be able to build a cluster for next to nothing! Incredible!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008513193739.html

@timixretroplays Just found this on AliExpress - thanks! - and each board is SEVENTY FIVE UK PENCE WITH FREE SHIPPING. I’m building my #transputer emulation system with Pi Picos, and if I can get PIO working off something this small, I’ll be able to build a cluster for next to nothing! Incredible!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008513193739.html

So I have the USB CDC link to debug, then integrate the slow GPIO link, and get the separate link adapter build working.

Then it’s time to get it all building on all platforms - with some extra IServer code for Windows ‘cos serial I/O is a completely different beast on the Fischer-Price OS (of course it is, blessss…)

And I’m maxed out with other stuff involving different hats… so I’m not setting deadlines, other than “the future” :)

#Transputer

So I have the USB CDC link to debug, then integrate the slow GPIO link, and get the separate link adapter build working.

Then it’s time to get it all building on all platforms - with some extra IServer code for Windows ‘cos serial I/O is a completely different beast on the Fischer-Price OS (of course it is, blessss…)

And I’m maxed out with other stuff involving different hats… so I’m not setting deadlines, other than “the future” :)

#Transputer

Hmmm. I hooked Link0 of a Transtech TTM15F-85-F module up to the host card, and it's flagging Error and failing to communicate. I can see the peek command on LinkIn but no reply on LinkOut. Very odd. #transputer #Transputers

Hmmm. I hooked Link0 of a Transtech TTM15F-85-F module up to the host card, and it's flagging Error and failing to communicate. I can see the peek command on LinkIn but no reply on LinkOut. Very odd. #transputer #Transputers

Transputin'! #riscos #AcornComputers #transputer

Transputin'! #riscos #AcornComputers #transputer

Turns out if you want a Replicator, all you need to do is learn Occam. #transputer

Turns out if you want a Replicator, all you need to do is learn Occam. #transputer

I _think_ this means my soldering is OK and it’s working! #transputer

https://8bitforce.com/blog/2025/10/02/teensy-4.1-speaks-transputer-link/

I _think_ this means my soldering is OK and it’s working! #transputer

https://8bitforce.com/blog/2025/10/02/teensy-4.1-speaks-transputer-link/

In which I post an update to my blog (taking Joan Westenberg’s recent advice to blog more), and try the RSS Parrot… @birb - Parachute Post-winter-solstice update: https://mattgumbley.wordpress.com/ #Transputer

In which I post an update to my blog (taking Joan Westenberg’s recent advice to blog more), and try the RSS Parrot… @birb - Parachute Post-winter-solstice update: https://mattgumbley.wordpress.com/ #Transputer

Got my first transputer program running from my #PC6502

Very simple code that spits out 0xAA000000 if it’s a 16 bit transputer and 0xAAAA0000 if it’s 32 bit.

Output is -
<< READ =$AA
<< READ =$AA
<< READ =$00
<< READ =$00

Next write something simple to confirm the tool chain I have works.
Then a server program to run on the 6502, so I can then run some Mandelbrot code on the transputer.

Long way to go, but fun

#retrocomputing #transputer #6502

Got my first transputer program running from my #PC6502

Very simple code that spits out 0xAA000000 if it’s a 16 bit transputer and 0xAAAA0000 if it’s 32 bit.

Output is -
<< READ =$AA
<< READ =$AA
<< READ =$00
<< READ =$00

Next write something simple to confirm the tool chain I have works.
Then a server program to run on the 6502, so I can then run some Mandelbrot code on the transputer.

Long way to go, but fun

#retrocomputing #transputer #6502

So the question; what should I try and get running on my #Transputer?
Obviously this is going to be one of my first to try - https://www.geekdot.com/1st-code-example/
But I'd like something that does a memory test maybe, or ideally something that scans a network of Transputers (Yes I have more transputers and yes I am thinking of hooking them all up just because).
links to any suitable tools (sadly all of my current Transputers are integer only) would be gratefully received :)

So the question; what should I try and get running on my #Transputer?
Obviously this is going to be one of my first to try - https://www.geekdot.com/1st-code-example/
But I'd like something that does a memory test maybe, or ideally something that scans a network of Transputers (Yes I have more transputers and yes I am thinking of hooking them all up just because).
links to any suitable tools (sadly all of my current Transputers are integer only) would be gratefully received :)

Here it is, and oh boy does it get toasty!
Next I best figure out how to get it doing something, like say..... a Mandlebrot!

#Transputer #PC6502

Here it is, and oh boy does it get toasty!
Next I best figure out how to get it doing something, like say..... a Mandlebrot!

#Transputer #PC6502

FINALLY!!!
The #PC6502 is talking to a #transputer !!
I can now write and read to the memory on the TRAM !!!

Colour me very happy!!!

#Retrocomputing

FINALLY!!!
The #PC6502 is talking to a #transputer !!
I can now write and read to the memory on the TRAM !!!

Colour me very happy!!!

#Retrocomputing

#typography #retrocomputing #transputer

Trying to build a project that can be built for desktop OS and Pi Pico, using three different stdio implementations (C++ iostream, Pi Pico stdio and direct over USB CDC) depending on which part is being built, for which platform… is “tricky”.

Samuel L. Jackson may have a more appropriate term.

#Transputer emulator release is currently blocked by such shenanigans. A restructuring too far that I’ll have to stare at for a few more hours or revert.

Trying to build a project that can be built for desktop OS and Pi Pico, using three different stdio implementations (C++ iostream, Pi Pico stdio and direct over USB CDC) depending on which part is being built, for which platform… is “tricky”.

Samuel L. Jackson may have a more appropriate term.

#Transputer emulator release is currently blocked by such shenanigans. A restructuring too far that I’ll have to stare at for a few more hours or revert.

The Pico bit-banged #Transputer link works! At a staggeringly-fast 96 bytes/second! If I remove the oversampling receiver it could go 16x that, and I could run the timer interrupt 10x faster - but that would max the CPU out. This is good enough for a proof of concept release. PIO later. Still got to do another link implementation over a USB-CDC interface, and route logging over a separate one, then wire all this into the emulator. Looking tight to release by the solstice :(