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PDP-11: Difference between revisions
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==Technical details== | ==Technical details== | ||
First produced in 1970, the 16-bit PDP-11 minicomputer was one of DEC's most successful mid-range minis. Like the PDP-8, the PDP-11 was employed in a wide variety of business and academic sectors, used in various real-time applications and had a very long production span (1970-1990). Although the PDP-11 was much larger and more expensive than its "predecessor", it was a more advanced design and easier to program. In all, over 40 models of PDP-11 were produced; from the large, early and iconic Unibus models, to the smaller Q-bus models, the PC-sized Professional series, to special purpose designs like the MINC-11 laboratory system and various DEC terminal systems. A number of unofficial clones, mostly Soviet and American | First produced in 1970, the 16-bit PDP-11 minicomputer was one of DEC's most successful mid-range minis. Like the PDP-8, the PDP-11 was employed in a wide variety of business and academic sectors, used in various real-time applications and had a very long production span (1970-1990). Although the PDP-11 was much larger and more expensive than its "predecessor", it was a more advanced design and easier to program. In all, over 40 models of PDP-11 were produced; from the large, early and iconic Unibus models, to the smaller Q-bus models, the PC-sized Professional series, to special purpose designs like the MINC-11 laboratory system and various DEC terminal systems. A number of unofficial clones, mostly Soviet and American in origin, were also created. | ||
While the PDP-11 was a success in and of itself, it also influenced many other systems. The Motorola 68000 was inspired by its design, and the DEC VAX is a direct descendant. On the software front, native PDP-11 | While the PDP-11 was a success in and of itself, it also influenced many other systems. The Motorola 68000 was loosely inspired by its design, and the DEC VAX is a direct descendant. On the software front, native PDP-11 operating systems inspired the popular microcomputer OSes CP/M and DOS. The language C is said to have been influenced by the programming environment of the PDP-11, and the PDP-11 was the second computer to run Unix - and the system that launched it to stratospheric heights of popularity. | ||
Unfortunately, later PDP-11 offerings - in particular the Professional line - were poorly-received by users, many of whom were already migrating to smaller and cheaper systems. DEC ended the PDP-11's production run in 1990, but the PDP-11 continues to be a popular hobbyist computer and many surviving installations exist. | Unfortunately, later PDP-11 offerings - in particular the Professional line - were poorly-received by users, many of whom were already migrating to smaller and cheaper systems. DEC ended the PDP-11's production run in 1990, but the PDP-11 continues to be a popular hobbyist computer and many surviving installations exist. | ||