PDP-7: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Machine | {{Infobox Machine | ||
| name = PDP-7 | | name = PDP-7 | ||
| Line 11: | Line 9: | ||
| logic type = PNP [[Transistor]] [[FLIP CHIP]]s | | logic type = PNP [[Transistor]] [[FLIP CHIP]]s | ||
<!--| design type = --> | <!--| design type = --> | ||
<!-- | clock speed = μsec (basic instructions) --> | <!--| clock speed = μsec (basic instructions) --> | ||
| memory speed = 1.75 μsec | | memory speed = 1.75 μsec | ||
<!-- | memory mgmt = bounds register --> | <!-- | memory mgmt = bounds register --> | ||
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| caption = A PDP-7 in Oslo, Norway | | caption = A PDP-7 in Oslo, Norway | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''PDP-7''' is a [[minicomputer]] produced by [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]], introduced in 1965; with a low cost, it was cheap but powerful. There were two models, the second being the -7/A, but the difference between them is not yet certain; one report is that the I/O system of the latter was re-designed to use the lower speed (and thus lower cost) 'R' series [[FLIP CHIP]]s. Approximately 120 are thought to have been built. | |||
The '''PDP-7''' is a [[minicomputer]] produced by [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]], introduced in 1965; with a low cost, it was cheap but powerful. There were two models, the second being the -7/A, but the difference is not yet | |||
The PDP-7 was the third of Digital's 18-bit machines, with essentially the same [[instruction set]] and [[architecture]] as the predecessor [[PDP-4]] and successor [[PDP-9]]. It was the first [[wire-wrap]]ped PDP. It was the first to use their [[FLIP CHIP|Flip-Chip®]] technology, but also included the older [[System Module]]s. | The PDP-7 was the third of Digital's 18-bit machines, with essentially the same [[instruction set]] and [[architecture]] as the predecessor [[PDP-4]] and successor [[PDP-9]]. It was the first [[wire-wrap]]ped PDP. It was the first to use their [[FLIP CHIP|Flip-Chip®]] technology, but also included the older [[System Module]]s. | ||
In 1969, Ken Thompson wrote the first [[UNIX]] system in assembly language on a PDP-7, then named Unics as a somewhat treacherous pun on [[Multics]], as the operating system for [ | In 1969, Ken Thompson wrote the first [[UNIX]] system in assembly language on a PDP-7, then named Unics as a somewhat treacherous pun on [[Multics]], as the operating system for [[Space Travel]], a game which required graphics to depict the motion of the planets. A PDP-7 was also the development system used during the development of [[MUMPS]] at [[MGH]] in [[Boston]] a few years earlier. | ||
There are a few remaining PDP-7's still in operable condition | There are a few remaining PDP-7's still in operable condition. One under restoration in Oslo, Norway, has recently been thrown away. | ||
== Emulation == | == Emulation == | ||
The PDP-7 can be emulated with [[SIMH]]. DECSys and some other software is available and can run on the emulator. | The PDP-7 can be emulated with [[SIMH]]. DECSys, [[PDP-7 Unix|Unix]], Space Travel and some other software is available and can run on the emulator. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp7/ PDP-7] - Original PDP-7 documents | |||
* [https://www.soemtron.org/pdp7.html Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-7] - Extensive site with a large amount of material | * [https://www.soemtron.org/pdp7.html Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-7] - Extensive site with a large amount of material | ||
** [https://www.soemtron.org/downloads/decinfo/pdp7brochure1.pdf PDP-7 brochure] | |||
* [http://belllabs-microsite-unixhistory.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/pdp7.html ''"The famous PDP-7 comes to the rescue"''] (Bell Labs' Unix history) | * [http://belllabs-microsite-unixhistory.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/pdp7.html ''"The famous PDP-7 comes to the rescue"''] (Bell Labs' Unix history) | ||
<!-- original http://www.bell-labs.com/history/unix/pdp7.htmlnow offline --> | <!-- original http://www.bell-labs.com/history/unix/pdp7.htmlnow offline --> | ||
* http://research.microsoft.com/~gbell/Digital/timeline/1964-3.htm PDP-7 entry | * [http://research.microsoft.com/~gbell/Digital/timeline/1964-3.htm DIGITAL Computing Timeline - 1964] - PDP-7 entry | ||
* http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~toresbe/dec PDP-7 restoration project located in Oslo, Norway | * [http://www.linfo.org/pdp-7.html PDP-7 Definition] | ||
<!-- * http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~toresbe/dec PDP-7 restoration project located in Oslo, Norway --> | |||
* [https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/firsts-history-computing-paul-g-allen-collection/pdp-7a-minicomputer-117/230055 PDP-7A minicomputer] - from [[Paul Allen]]'s collection at the [[Living Computer Museum|LCM]], includes several images | |||
{{ | {{Nav DEC}} | ||
[[Category:DEC Systems]] | [[Category: DEC Systems]] | ||
[[Category: 18-bit Computers]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:15, 30 June 2025
| PDP-7 | |
 A PDP-7 in Oslo, Norway | |
| Manufacturer: | Digital Equipment Corporation |
|---|---|
| Year Introduced: | 1965 |
| Form Factor: | minicomputer |
| Word Size: | 18 bits |
| Logic Type: | PNP Transistor FLIP CHIPs |
| Memory Speed: | 1.75 μsec |
| Physical Address Size: | 15 bits (32K words) |
| Virtual Address Size: | 13 bits (direct), 15 bits (extended) |
| Operating System: | DECSYS-7 |
| Predecessor(s): | PDP-4 |
| Successor(s): | PDP-9 |
| Price: | US$72K |
The PDP-7 is a minicomputer produced by DEC, introduced in 1965; with a low cost, it was cheap but powerful. There were two models, the second being the -7/A, but the difference between them is not yet certain; one report is that the I/O system of the latter was re-designed to use the lower speed (and thus lower cost) 'R' series FLIP CHIPs. Approximately 120 are thought to have been built.
The PDP-7 was the third of Digital's 18-bit machines, with essentially the same instruction set and architecture as the predecessor PDP-4 and successor PDP-9. It was the first wire-wrapped PDP. It was the first to use their Flip-Chip® technology, but also included the older System Modules.
In 1969, Ken Thompson wrote the first UNIX system in assembly language on a PDP-7, then named Unics as a somewhat treacherous pun on Multics, as the operating system for Space Travel, a game which required graphics to depict the motion of the planets. A PDP-7 was also the development system used during the development of MUMPS at MGH in Boston a few years earlier.
There are a few remaining PDP-7's still in operable condition. One under restoration in Oslo, Norway, has recently been thrown away.
Emulation
The PDP-7 can be emulated with SIMH. DECSys, Unix, Space Travel and some other software is available and can run on the emulator.
External links
- PDP-7 - Original PDP-7 documents
- Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-7 - Extensive site with a large amount of material
- "The famous PDP-7 comes to the rescue" (Bell Labs' Unix history)
- DIGITAL Computing Timeline - 1964 - PDP-7 entry
- PDP-7 Definition
- PDP-7A minicomputer - from Paul Allen's collection at the LCM, includes several images
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