Anthony DeRobertis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > On Fri, 2002-06-07 at 22:16, Derrick 'dman' Hudson wrote: > >> It is. > > Glad we agree. > > >> I don't know a whole lot about PPC, but M68K is much better designed >> that x86. > > Yes, it is. Very much better designed. The i386 is what, 32-bit > extensions to a 16-bit version of an 8-bit core? Or did it start 4-bit?
The Intel 4004 was 4-bit, but I think it was incompatible with its 8-bit successor, the 8008. The 8008 was not object-compatible with the 16-bit 8086, though the machines were close enough that they were assembly language compatible. Everything after the 8086 has been fully forward compatible. So, essentially the x86 instruction set has been built up from the 8-bit 8008. -- Brian Nelson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
