Chip‐8 Technical Reference
3 days ago
- #CHIP-8
- #Programming
- #RetroComputing
- CHIP-8 is a programming language with a technical reference aimed at compatibility with Joseph Weisbecker's original COSMAC VIP implementation.
- The CHIP-8 instruction set includes 35 instructions, with some originally undocumented but later recognized due to their use in compatible programs.
- CHIP-8 programs are loaded into memory starting at address 0x200, with specific memory ranges reserved for the interpreter and variables.
- CHIP-8 features sixteen 8-bit general-purpose data registers (V0 to VF) and a 16-bit address register (I) for memory operations.
- The interpreter supports up to twelve successive subroutine calls and includes two programmable timers: delay and sound timers.
- Input is accepted via a 16-key hexadecimal keypad, with a specific layout provided.
- Graphics output is monochrome, 64x32 pixels, with sprites drawn using XOR mode and clipping for off-screen positions.
- A preloaded font of sixteen hexadecimal digits is available for display, with each character being 4x5 pixels.
- The document references several historical manuals and articles for further reading on CHIP-8 programming and implementation.