Programming Model


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Curta Model

Considered as a computer, the Curta has registers, an ALU (arithmetic-logic unit), a barrel shifter, and a clock.

Registers3
Barrel shifter1
Instructions4
Clock1 per revolution (reversable)

Registers

Data Path

Clock

The clock is the operating handle. Each turn of the operating handle is one clock cycle, executes one instruction.

ALU Controls

There are two ALU control bits for the

Clearing Registers

There is no clear register instruction, but there is an asynchronous register clear operation for the counting register and result register. The clear operation is executed by moving the clearing lever. Either or both registers may be cleared. Also, the registers may be partially cleared, but from complementary directions. That is, the counting register may be cleared from the least-significant direction and the result register from the most significant, or vice versa. The partial clearing operation to be performed must be decided prior to accumulating results in the registers.

Barrel Shifter

The barrel shifter (S) operates on both datapaths, from the setting register to the counting register and from the handle (clock) to the counting register.

Instructions

HandleReversing LeverCounting RegisterResult Register
downupCR <- CR + 1*10S-1RR <- RR + SR*10S-1
downdownCR <- CR - 1*10S-1RR <- RR + SR*10S-1
upupCR <- CR + 1*10S-1RR <- RR - SR*10S-1
updownCR <- CR - 1*10S-1RR <- RR - SR*10S-1

Decimal Points

See the DecimalPoints page.

Overflow and Underflow

See the OverFlowUnderFlow page.

Optimizations

See the CurtaOptimizations page.

Curta Algorithms

See the CurtaAlgorithms page.

Some Notation

CR
The counting register
SR
The setting register
RR
The result register
S
The shift setting
H
The handle "bit", either up or down
R
The reverse lever "bit", either up or down


Edit Text of this page (last edited June 18, 2004 by ppp-07-016.001.starnetwx.net)
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