Difference between revisions of "Harris H series"

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* The full address ''F-mode'' expanded 48-bit integer capabilities in the instruction set.
 
* The full address ''F-mode'' expanded 48-bit integer capabilities in the instruction set.
  
In the late 1980s, Harris sunset the H series in favor of a new 32-bit [[Tahoe]] based CX series.
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In the late 1980s, Harris sunset the H series in favor of a new 32-bit [[Tahoe]] based [[Harris CS series|CX series]].
  
 
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Revision as of 08:45, 10 August 2023

The Harris H series computers began with the Slash 1, or DC 6024, offered by Datacraft Corporation in 1969. Harris acquired Datacraft in 1974 and kept the Slash name for a while. The first H branded computer, the H-100, was released in 1978. In the early 1980s, the H series extended into the super-mini segment. One of the last models was the H-1600 in 1987.

The integer ALU width was 24 bits; floating-point numbers were 48 bits. The instruction set had support for double-width integers, and a full 48-bit ALU appearing in late hardware iterations. Addressing is by word. Instructions were originally all 24 bits; later architectural updates came with some two-word instructions.

Early operating systems were DOS-IIDisc Operating System, and DMSDisc Monitor System. The Harris machines ran the virtual memory operating system VULCANVirtual Core Management Operating System, later replaced by the newer VOSVirtual Operating System.

The architecture evolved over the years:

  • The compatibility C-mode had a 16-bit address space.
  • The address extension X-mode had a 20-bit address space.
  • The full address F-mode expanded 48-bit integer capabilities in the instruction set.

In the late 1980s, Harris sunset the H series in favor of a new 32-bit Tahoe based CX series.

External links