How long would it take to re-create a computer running C from scratch materials?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6981518

by quantumpotato_ • 13 years ago

3 6 13 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

ColinWright3• 13 years ago

Do I need to build my own transistors?

If I'm allowed to use modern machines and software, an FPGA, and off-the-shelf static RAM, I could do it in a week or two.

quantumpotato_2• 13 years ago

Cool. If you had to build it all from scratch?

ColinWright3• 13 years ago

What am I allowed to use? Discrete transistors? Relays? Wire and metals?

Do I need to refine my own metals? Make my own wire-drawing machines? It would take me a few years, others might be able to do it more quickly.

I might be able to make a massive mechanical computer rather than an electronic one. That would also take a few years. People have built "computers" in MineCraft - something similar could be done for real.

Also, define "Run C." There are variants of C that run on PICs that are genuine versions of C, and compile nicely to compact machine code.

How long would it take to re-create a computer running C from scratch materials?

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