My 1. microprocessor usage:

- building Z80 hardware with 2716 and 16k DRAM (8 * 16k * 1 bit)
- building EPROM programmer (11 address, 8 data and 1 program pulse switches)
- write down mnemoniks on paper
- write down the appropriate hex code
- count bytes, write down jump, call distances
- program into EPROM manually byte by byte

If during programming a switch was set wrong or the program
was not right, I returned to the paper, NOP-ed the wrong code,
moved the right code on the next free location and calculated
the jumps and calls again (since I has no UV eraser at home).

So my 1. program was written without any other computer.


I have also some experience with tubes (NF amplifiers, not digital).
On tubes you need no logic probe. With your fingers you can feel
painful the presence of the 350V anode voltage !


My 1. 8051 program was also assembled by paper.
Then I wrote my own assembler with Turbo Pascal,
Now I use the Keil assembler / C.

I build mainly hardware (high voltage, low noise, high resolution)
But with the 8051 as hobby, I pushed it into my gadgets.

Since they contain several modules, I use a lot (8) of 8051
connected over a multimaster I2C bus.

But since the software developers always crying for higher speed,
the today project use the CAN bus outside and also inside
the Gadget.

I'm 27h.


Peter