High school student Jack Eisenmann has built his own 8-bit computer from scratch, and he designed everything himself including the OS. It took Jack about a year to complete this impressive project, showcasing his dedication and technical prowess.
The Duo Adept features 100 chips which have been meticulously connected with a lot of wiring. There is also 256 bytes of RAM and 64KB of memory. The computer runs on a custom OS with a total of 263 lines of code. Have a look at the video of it in action below.
The Technical Specifications
The Duo Adept is a marvel of engineering, especially considering it was built by a high school student. The 100 chips used in the computer are interconnected with a complex web of wiring, demonstrating Jack’s understanding of hardware design. The 256 bytes of RAM, while minuscule by today’s standards, are sufficient for the basic operations of this 8-bit machine. The 64KB of memory provides ample space for the custom operating system and any programs Jack might want to run.
The custom OS, written in just 263 lines of code, is a testament to Jack’s programming skills. Writing an operating system from scratch is no small feat, and doing so with such a limited amount of code requires a deep understanding of both hardware and software.
The Learning Experience
Building the Duo Adept was not just about creating a functional computer; it was also a significant learning experience for Jack. Throughout the year-long project, Jack would have had to learn about various aspects of computer science and electrical engineering. This includes understanding how different chips interact, how to manage memory efficiently, and how to write low-level code that can interface directly with the hardware.
For example, Jack would have needed to understand the principles of digital logic to design the circuits that connect the chips. He would also have had to learn about assembly language or machine code to write the operating system. These are skills that are typically taught at the university level, making Jack’s accomplishment even more impressive.
You can find out more about the Duo Adept and how it was designed from scratch over at Jack’s website.
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