>>> The 8080 makes it hard.
>>
>> Not if you write your machine code in octal
>
> the RCA 1802

Now the 1802 has nice hex-based instructions (16 registers, after all.)

But I remember being really annoyed when all the hobby publications =20
started using hex for 8080/z80 code, because it really does obscure =20
the architecture.  (7 registers plus memory.  Nice octal fields.  =20
111=3DA (Accumulator), 000=3DB 001=3DC 010=3DD 011=3DE 100=3DH 101=3DL 110=
=3DM (Memory =20
reference through address in H:L))  MUCH easier.
All to save 33% keystrokes or paper tape length, I guess.

Hopefully front panels did the bit grouping better...

BillW

--=20
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