抄録
The LINC-8 is a dual computer system, combining LINC, specifically designed at MIT for use in laboratories and Digital Equipment Corporation's PDP-8, a small-scale general purpose computer which can serve as the control element in a complex processing system.
Both LINC and the PDP-8 are one-address, fixed length computer, using 12-bit binary arithmetic. Cycle time of the 4 096 word magnetic core memory, which is shared by both computers, is 1.5 μs. The basic LINC-8 system includes a standard teletype, CRT display, multi-channel A-D converter and dual magnetic tape transport. In addition to these, LINC-8 can easily be connected to many types of equipment of special design. LINC-8 is manually controlled by means of keys and switches on the operator console.
The LINC-8 system consists of two major sub-systems, the LINC sub-system operating under PROGOFOP, and the software system of the PDP-8 sub-system, which provides two distinct modes of operation, the LINC mode and the PDP-8 mode.
In the LINC mode, the GUIDE system can be used. GUIDE is a system of routines that controls a file of binary programs stored on magnetic tape. Answering the question, which is asked by GUIDE, the user, by typing the teletypewriter, may execute any one of the programs in the file. GUIDE can respond to seven system commands. One of these serves for communication with the LAP system which performs useful functions in the creation and manipulation of symbolic programs and the filing and execution of binary programs.
GUIDE can file “data programs” which facilitate treatment of data acquired in biomedical experiments. The methods for using these programs are explained in the last part of this paper.
