# PDP-8 Emulator for iPad

**URL:** <https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/t/pdp-8-emulator-for-ipad/1794>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [September 6, 2021, 12:07pm UTC](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/t/pdp-8-emulator-for-ipad/1794 "2021-09-06T12:07:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ivanpribec](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/fortran-lang.discourse.group/ivanpribec/32/3290_2.png) [@ivanpribec](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/u/ivanpribec)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 12:07pm UTC](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/t/pdp-8-emulator-for-ipad/1794/1 "2021-09-06T12:07:19Z")

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> **[GitHub - unclebob/PDP8EmulatorIpad: PDP8 Emulator for the iPad](https://github.com/unclebob/PDP8EmulatorIpad)**
>
> PDP8 Emulator for the iPad. Contribute to unclebob/PDP8EmulatorIpad development by creating an account on GitHub.

The author of the emulator is [Robert C. Martin](http://cleancoder.com/products), author of the book [Clean Code](https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Code-Handbook-Software-Craftsmanship/dp/0132350882).

The emulator comes along with the [4K FORTRAN](https://www.grc.com/pdp-8/docs/4K_FORTRAN_Programmers_Reference_Manual.pdf) compiler and the Fortran OS (I guess this was previously called the “object time system”).

Related resources:

- [Running 4K FORTRAN on a DEC PDP-8](https://techtinkering.com/2009/07/14/running-4k-fortran-on-a-dec-pdp8/)
- [PDP-8 on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-8)

An image of the PDP-8/L tabletop model in use (image taken from Banking Automation, 1971, Pergamon Press)

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/fortran_lang/original/1X/e5a7724bd4e7b63340bb5624690febf37d721de9.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ivanpribec](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/fortran-lang.discourse.group/ivanpribec/32/3290_2.png) [@ivanpribec](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/u/ivanpribec)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 12:14pm UTC](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/t/pdp-8-emulator-for-ipad/1794/2 "2021-09-06T12:14:47Z")

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Here is a screenshot from the [video](https://www.dropbox.com/s/3shvmqsb52r48oq/editAndCompile.mp4?dl=0) on editing and compiling an assembly program:

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/fortran_lang/original/1X/7aef7051ebd83892968c071537e5ee94c47dc5b4.jpeg)

The tape punch and reader are faithful. The emulator also includes sound effects and flashing of lights on the front panel.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ivanpribec](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/fortran-lang.discourse.group/ivanpribec/32/3290_2.png) [@ivanpribec](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/u/ivanpribec)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 12:23pm UTC](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/t/pdp-8-emulator-for-ipad/1794/3 "2021-09-06T12:23:48Z")

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Another interesting program for the PDP-8 was [FOCAL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOCAL_(programming_language)) (acronym for FOrmula CALculator), an interactive and interpreted programming language. Quoting from the Banking Automation book:

> … FOCAL, a conversa­tional language developed by Digital to allow anyone, including computer novices, to write programs with simple English commands and queries.

Interestingly, [LFortran](https://lfortran.org/) attempts to fill a similar gap today, in allowing novices to transition from interactive work to compiled programs.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![certik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/fortran-lang.discourse.group/certik/32/4_2.png) [@certik](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/u/certik)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2021, 10:42pm UTC](https://fortran-lang.discourse.group/t/pdp-8-emulator-for-ipad/1794/4 "2021-09-07T22:42:28Z")

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> [@ivanpribec](#):
>
> Interestingly, [LFortran](https://lfortran.org/) attempts to fill a similar gap today, in allowing novices to transition from interactive work to compiled programs.

Novices _and_ experts. 😉