PDP-12

PDP-12
ManufacturerDigital Equipment Corporation
Product familyProgrammed Data Processor
Release date1969; 55 years ago (1969)
Discontinued1972; 52 years ago (1972)
Units sold725
Operating systemOS/8, DIALPS, LAP6W
Memory4k 12-bit words; can be expanded to 32K
PlatformDEC 12-bit
PredecessorPDP-8 and LINC
PDP-12 front panel and screen

The PDP-12 (Programmed Data Processor) is a computer that was created by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1969 and marketed specifically for science and engineering.[1] It is the third in the LINC family and its main uses were for applications in chemistry, applied psychology, patient monitoring and industrial testing.[2] It is the combination of the LINC computer and the PDP-8 and can run programs for either computer.[3] It features a single central processor with two distinct operating modes, each with its own instruction set that allows it to run both computers' programs.[4] A PDP-12 Basic System weighs about 600 pounds (270 kg).[5]

Because it is the combination of two different computers, it is very versatile. It can be a laboratory-oriented machine[6] with several facilities for I/O, auxiliary storage, and control and sensing for external equipment or a general purpose computer with a flexible I/O capability that can support multiple peripheral devices.[4] The basic package came with dual LINCtape drives, a scope display and I/O ports for interfacing with external laboratory equipment and peripherals.[7] In addition to a display-based OS other software packages were included for data acquisition and display, Fourier analysis and mass spectrometry.[2]

  1. ^ "Exhibits - Living Computer Museum". www.livingcomputermuseum.org. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 5 July 2016.see Mini-Computer section and press see more, then press see more again
  2. ^ a b Digital Equipment Corporation. "Nineteen Fifty-Seven to the Present" (PDF). Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  3. ^ ed, Raúl Rojas (2001). Encyclopedia of computers and computer history. Chicago [u.a.]: Fitzroy Dearborn. ISBN 1579582354.
  4. ^ a b PDP-12 Users Manual. Maynard, Massachusetts: Digital Equipment Corporation. 1969.
  5. ^ "PDP-12 Maintenance Manual Volume 2 Installation and Maintenance" (PDF). www.bitsavers.org (3rd ed.). 1972. pp. 1-5–1-6, 1-9 (18-19, 22). DEC-12-HR2B-D. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  6. ^ LINC = Laboratory INstrumentation Computer
  7. ^ "The PDP-12". www.cca.org.