What do I do next? Decisions, decisions. I hate making decisions, too much like hard work ;-)
This blog stalled slightly due to external interrupts (Note to self - add interrupts to the CPU?), including a promotion at work that has me temporarily juggling two roles while we effect a handover.
I need want to progress on 2 fronts. One is that, to be useful, this blog needs updating. A lot. I've not written about the tools and how to get started with them, the fantastic online training available for free from Altera, anything about how the internal structure of CPUs and why I chose the structure I did.
The other aspect is the CPU itself. So far, its only existed as a simulated model. I do have an FPGA dev board, with input and output options ranging from switches & LEDs through to VGA, RS232 and an SD card slot. I'm sure that, as I start to target these features, the CPU will evolve. For instance, the instruction set is currently somewhat small. Whilst it is possible to have a Turing-complete system implemented using only 8 commands, it's certainly not "user friendly". Then again, if I wanted "user friendly" I wouldn't be doing this in the first place.
So, dear reader, I promise that I will post more updates. Soon. Ish ;-)