ot? Simulate something....

[Ron Hudson]

Hey all!

I am beginning to write a simulator for a "microcomputer", it will 
feature a
curses (terminal) front panel. it will be a 12 bit machine. You will be 
able to
issue commands to the simulator without stopping the program (for 
mounting
virtual paper tapes, printing to files etc)

Shown on the front panel will be a switch register, an Accumulator and 
the
program counter (all 12 bit) a "running" light and a Overflow light.

Insert =           sw -> pc    home = sim command   Pgup = examine 
([pc] -> sw
delete = (deposit) sw ->[pc]   end  = halt          pgdn = run

Obviously a 12 bit computer suggests a PDP-8, but the function keys are 
going
to be the "bit flip" front panel keys and they are grouped in three 
sets of
four.  I am not against a PDP-8 but it's instruction set is better 
expressed
in octal right?

Were there any other 12 bit computers? preferably with Hex friendly 
instruction sets?

Operational choices - should examine increment PC?, should deposit?

I am open to other meanings of the operation keys... they are arranged 
as above on
my thinkpad.

The program will be written in C.