Subject:
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Re: Building a computer from Lego's
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Wed, 31 Jan 2001 01:36:00 GMT
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Viewed:
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1209 times
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> Let's be careful with the term "computer". Back in the 50's Bell labs built a
tic-tac-toe "computer" from relays, they had one at the old Buhl Planetarium in
Pittsburgh. The game of tic-tac-toe is easily simulated with a finite state
machine (FSM) as there are fixed strategies, clear outcomes and lots of
symmetry. The project requires the development of a flip-flop, or memory
device, so that your machine can remember what the current state of the game
is--that will determine what it's move will be. You also need a representation
system and logic gates, but these are relatively easy after the flip-flop
problem is resolved.
My understanding is that a all relay machine can be built which can be classed
as a electric (not electronic) computer. One can do all the normal logic that
is required for a computer (and, or, not- the remainder are special
combinations) using relays (note, diodes make it much easier, but it can be
done without them...). One can store data using a relay, and check on the
status of the data. One can (conceveably) reprogram a relay computer, no
matter that it is quite inpractical on a large scale.
Right now I am taking a course on PLC's (Programmable Logic Controllers), and
the info is quite interesting. Babbage #2 is most definitely a computer, at
least to my mind, as would be one of the Bletchly Park Bombés.
James Powell
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Building a computer from Lego's
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| (...) You are absolutely correct. The reason I was quoting "computer" was because it has such a broad definition. Some folks get downright violent if you call an abacus a computer, but it is. What you really need to do is classify the computer. the (...) (24 years ago, 31-Jan-01, to lugnet.robotics)
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