Thank you. That PDF is a great introduction. That's the sort of thing I've been looking for. I've read that redstone has some glitches in it. How does that affect your project where you have such a complex network of it?
The glitches are a pretty big issue, and unpreventable. The blocks that become "corrupted" are easy enough to take care of, but you just end up with another corrupted block elsewhere eventually. I just look for repetitive errors, which are usually corrupted blocks or my own mistake, and fix them.
The computer will never work perfectly unless 4J finds a way to fix the bugs for good. Which I hope will come eventually, but even PC Minecraft still has issues with redstone. I can always dream though.
I'm 90% positive I've fixed all of my own mistakes, and the demo program, which is a simple counter has been working fairly well. The max it has made it to is 31, which isn't bad considering that's 64 lines of code before the system locks up due to a bug. The first 8 bits of RAM and ROM, the ALU, writing and reading buses, expansion port, and input registers have been operating glitch free though. Bugs just happen to pop up in the clock and program counter the most, I assume that's due to how rapidly the redstone is passing a signal. Slowing the clock down helps somewhat, but it would be nice to run a program at full efficiency.
id love to see you adding a word proccesor and a printer thtat would be the coolest thing ive ever seen (altough it already is)
Well, sorry to disappoint you but I highly doubt I'll be doing something like that. First of all, it would take forever and be just as complex as the computer itself. Plus, it wouldn't be very user friendly, unless I made it a standalone system. But, then it wouldn't be connected to the computer, and that would kind of defeat the purpose.
I am contemplating adding a printer or GPU though. I'm just afraid that with all the redstone bugs it won't work properly. (Which I know it won't.)
EDIT: Btw, the program counter now runs at a clock speed of 20 ticks. It can run much faster, this just helps to avoid the glitches.
Okay just one last thing and I'll be on my way to self discovery. Point me to the fast way, if there is one, to a large flat space to work on, and if possible a way to get infinite building resources in the xbox 360 version. I mean, I love adventuring and mining and all that, but for such a project it would be much more efficient to have a pre-flattened space and all the resources I could need at my fingertips. Or perhaps I should just skip over to my mac and play it on the computer.
This looks amazing. Only thing really missing here is a video of this badboy in action....well that and someone saying it blows because of glitching the materials... well done man!
Okay just one last thing and I'll be on my way to self discovery. Point me to the fast way, if there is one, to a large flat space to work on, and if possible a way to get infinite building resources in the xbox 360 version. I mean, I love adventuring and mining and all that, but for such a project it would be much more efficient to have a pre-flattened space and all the resources I could need at my fingertips. Or perhaps I should just skip over to my mac and play it on the computer.
Ah, yes, I forgot about that, I will pm you a link. And for the resources, just search "post-patch duplication glitch" on YouTube. There seems to be a hundred different tutorials on how to do it. Honestly, I don't think you'll need it though, by the time you've figured out the basics of computers, we will already have creative mode.
The best thing to do would be to play an updated version on PC. Their glitches with redstone pale in comparison to the glitches in the 360 version. The only reason I play on 360 is because my computer is a pile of crap.
This looks amazing. Only thing really missing here is a video of this badboy in action....well that and someone saying it blows because of glitching the materials... well done man!
Way ahead of you, a friend of mine just recorded a video a couple of hours ago. It should be on YouTube sometime tomorrow, I'll post it when available. I believe the video is just him getting aerial shots while the program is running, and I think he's just going to add music or something, but you will still get to see it. Another friend will be recording a video as well, where I will be giving some explanation to how things work and will show the components in greater detail.
And if somebody builds an 8-bit computer on MCXBLA out of diamond blocks, gold blocks, and iron blocks completely legit, with video proof... I will take every last penny out of my bank account, walk all the way to their house, completely naked, no matter how far, give them all of my money, and do an irish jig.
Wow, I've seen quite a few pictures and videos of Minecraft computers, but I don't really understand what they do. So I'm guessing the different sections help complete tasks, store tasks, and read input, but I'm still not sure exactly how this works or what it does. From what you said, you could hook it up to a "Printer" and make pictures. But how would you end up doing something like that? Would you use pistons to push wool around?
I'm asking quite a few questions but I'm very much intrigued by this and plan on reading the link you put in the thread on understanding computers. So, from what I said earlier, I'm guessing you need numerous devices. Something to store memories, something to retrive memeories, something to input and read commands, something to manipulate the memories with said commands, and so on and so forth?
Wow, I've seen quite a few pictures and videos of Minecraft computers, but I don't really understand what they do. So I'm guessing the different sections help complete tasks, store tasks, and read input, but I'm still not sure exactly how this works or what it does. From what you said, you could hook it up to a "Printer" and make pictures. But how would you end up doing something like that? Would you use pistons to push wool around?
I'm asking quite a few questions but I'm very much intrigued by this and plan on reading the link you put in the thread on understanding computers. So, from what I said earlier, I'm guessing you need numerous devices. Something to store memories, something to retrive memeories, something to input and read commands, something to manipulate the memories with said commands, and so on and so forth?
If this thing can do even half of what is claimed I am still more than impressed...the whole thing just seems unbelievable being on the 360...this is like going back to basic programming and typing in thousands of lines of code just to make a simple DOS game. Need to see this in action! I know he said he has a video of an overview, but with all the glitching with redstone will we ever know if it actually works?
Didn't mean to sound negative on the last post, but not sure how something that massive can even start to work when people are having torch burnout on simple contraptions. I'm sure Nosejobs theories are sound, from reading his posts he has an excellent grasp on all things redstone.
Wow, I've seen quite a few pictures and videos of Minecraft computers, but I don't really understand what they do. So I'm guessing the different sections help complete tasks, store tasks, and read input, but I'm still not sure exactly how this works or what it does. From what you said, you could hook it up to a "Printer" and make pictures. But how would you end up doing something like that? Would you use pistons to push wool around?
You could do that, or any material really. I would probably use a sand and gravel printer though, easier to build and less pistons/redstone = less glitches.
I'm asking quite a few questions but I'm very much intrigued by this and plan on reading the link you put in the thread on understanding computers. So, from what I said earlier, I'm guessing you need numerous devices. Something to store memories, something to retrive memeories, something to input and read commands, something to manipulate the memories with said commands, and so on and so forth?
Basically, the way mine is coded, the first bit sends information from the reading bus to the first expansion slot, which I have hooked up to a binary display. The second bit is to read from ROM, the two bits after that are the location of the ROM. There are four 8-bit sections of ROM, but computers operate in binary so only 2 control bits are needed to designate the location. They are fed into a decoder, selecting the correct byte of ROM. (In case you didn't know, 1 byte = 8 bits.)
00 = ROM0
01 = ROM1
10 = ROM2
11 = ROM3
The next bit in the program instructions is to read from RAM, it sends whatever is currently stored in a selected byte of RAM onto the reading bus. The next two program instructions are for location, and work the same way as ROM location. The instruction after that writes to RAM, saving whatever happens to be on the writing bus to a byte of RAM (or multiple bytes, if you want) Once again, the two commands after that are location.
The following two bits are ALU functions, the first being addition, the second is subtraction. Whenever two values are input into the ALU, the outcome for every possible function is already calculated. Then, when you send a signal to the function you want to use, the data is retrieved instantly. (Well, with a delay in the time it takes that signal to reach the muxer you're trying to deactivate.) The two instructions after that are the ALU inputs, A and B. Say you put 1011 (eleven) into input A, and 0100 (four) into input B. The ALU will process these inputs for every function automatically, depending which function control you activate you can get 1111 (fifteen) for addition or 1000 (eight) for subtraction.
The next four bits in the program are called "go to commands" and they're just used to control the program counter. For example, my demo program, which is a basic counting operation, starts in the program memory at bit 0, goes to bit 15, and loops back to the fourth set of commands, or bit 3, then goes to 15, returns to three, repeating the loop over and over, basically counting to infinity. Well, actually it counts to 255, since that's the maximum amount of combinations you can get out of 8 digits being ones or zeros.
If this thing can do even half of what is claimed I am still more than impressed...the whole thing just seems unbelievable being on the 360...this is like going back to basic programming and typing in thousands of lines of code just to make a simple DOS game. Need to see this in action! I know he said he has a video of an overview, but with all the glitching with redstone will we ever know if it actually works?
I've already said the circuitry has its issues, it will probably never be 100% reliable, and it won't work as efficiently as the redstone computers on PC for a long time, that's all up to 4J. I've delayed the clock down to a painfully slow, snail-like pace of 25 ticks, or 2.5 seconds per operation. At this speed, the program has ran for around 10 minutes, counting with only a few errors. (Usually just the addition function failing, so not a major setback.) Sure, I have to clear my cache every time I want to run a program with, I'd say 85% reliabilty for a few minutes, but it's still impressive how well it's working, being such a massive circuit.
I've already said the circuitry has its issues, it will probably never be 100% reliable, and it won't work as efficiently as the redstone computers on PC for a long time, that's all up to 4J. I've delayed the clock down to a painfully slow, snail-like pace of 25 ticks, or 2.5 seconds per operation. At this speed, the program has ran for around 10 minutes, counting with only a few errors. (Usually just the addition function failing, so not a major setback.) Sure, I have to clear my cache every time I want to run a program with, I'd say 85% reliabilty for a few minutes, but it's still impressive how well it's working, being such a massive circuit.
I believe you and my hat is off to you...this is very impressive.
So I'm guessing the different sections help complete tasks, store tasks, and read input, but I'm still not sure exactly how this works or what it does.
I forgot to answer this in my mega-post. There is no one specific thing a computer can do, well... sort of... let me explain, or at least attempt to explain. Most electronics are designed for one specific purpose, like a remote control, or a calculator, or even your Xbox 360. A computer is kind of a jack of all trades, which is both a pro and a con. It's a con because it will be a lot slower. (especially the case with redstone) Even though it's only doing one specific thing, it still has to process all of the data before it does so. It's a pro because it can control numerous devices at the same time, with the right peripheral add-ons. All a computer really does, by itself, is move data around, it's what you can do with that data that makes it powerful.
That wasn't the greatest explanation, but I think you'll get the point.
I believe you and my hat is off to you...this is very impressive.
Btw, I don't know if you saw in one of the posts, but there will be a more detailed video, showing a program working properly. (I hope ) I will also show and try to explain a little bitter how the data is processed, and show a step-by-step on what it actually goes through.
And thanks, I don't blame you for doubting it. I, too, believed this would be impossible a couple months ago.
This is pretty cool! I would love to see a printer hooked up to this like you said. I don't think it's possible due to pistons not being able to make blank space blocks, and there is a block limit. But if it is possible, I would love to see it.
This is pretty cool! I would love to see a printer hooked up to this like you said. I don't think it's possible due to pistons not being able to make blank space blocks, and there is a block limit. But if it is possible, I would love to see it.
Oh, it's possible, I think you could only make 8 by 8's with one that uses a typical solid block. But I would think you could make one that could do a 16 by 16 px image with sand and gravel. Either way, I'll have to use an 8x8, 16x16 wouldn't be compatible with the computer.
Oh, it's possible, I think you could only make 8 by 8's with one that uses a typical solid block. But I would think you could make one that could do a 16 by 16 px image with sand and gravel. Either way, I'll have to use an 8x8, 16x16 wouldn't be compatible with the computer.
Ha! Nice one. I'm good to record today, whenever you're ready.
That would be so beast. Make sure you post it if you do
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Retired StaffThe glitches are a pretty big issue, and unpreventable. The blocks that become "corrupted" are easy enough to take care of, but you just end up with another corrupted block elsewhere eventually. I just look for repetitive errors, which are usually corrupted blocks or my own mistake, and fix them.
The computer will never work perfectly unless 4J finds a way to fix the bugs for good. Which I hope will come eventually, but even PC Minecraft still has issues with redstone. I can always dream though.
I'm 90% positive I've fixed all of my own mistakes, and the demo program, which is a simple counter has been working fairly well. The max it has made it to is 31, which isn't bad considering that's 64 lines of code before the system locks up due to a bug. The first 8 bits of RAM and ROM, the ALU, writing and reading buses, expansion port, and input registers have been operating glitch free though. Bugs just happen to pop up in the clock and program counter the most, I assume that's due to how rapidly the redstone is passing a signal. Slowing the clock down helps somewhat, but it would be nice to run a program at full efficiency.
Well, sorry to disappoint you but I highly doubt I'll be doing something like that.
I am contemplating adding a printer or GPU though. I'm just afraid that with all the redstone bugs it won't work properly. (Which I know it won't.)
EDIT: Btw, the program counter now runs at a clock speed of 20 ticks. It can run much faster, this just helps to avoid the glitches.
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Retired StaffAh, yes, I forgot about that, I will pm you a link. And for the resources, just search "post-patch duplication glitch" on YouTube. There seems to be a hundred different tutorials on how to do it. Honestly, I don't think you'll need it though, by the time you've figured out the basics of computers, we will already have creative mode.
The best thing to do would be to play an updated version on PC. Their glitches with redstone pale in comparison to the glitches in the 360 version. The only reason I play on 360 is because my computer is a pile of crap.
Way ahead of you, a friend of mine just recorded a video a couple of hours ago. It should be on YouTube sometime tomorrow, I'll post it when available. I believe the video is just him getting aerial shots while the program is running, and I think he's just going to add music or something, but you will still get to see it. Another friend will be recording a video as well, where I will be giving some explanation to how things work and will show the components in greater detail.
And if somebody builds an 8-bit computer on MCXBLA out of diamond blocks, gold blocks, and iron blocks completely legit, with video proof... I will take every last penny out of my bank account, walk all the way to their house, completely naked, no matter how far, give them all of my money, and do an irish jig.
I'm asking quite a few questions but I'm very much intrigued by this and plan on reading the link you put in the thread on understanding computers. So, from what I said earlier, I'm guessing you need numerous devices. Something to store memories, something to retrive memeories, something to input and read commands, something to manipulate the memories with said commands, and so on and so forth?
If this thing can do even half of what is claimed I am still more than impressed...the whole thing just seems unbelievable being on the 360...this is like going back to basic programming and typing in thousands of lines of code just to make a simple DOS game. Need to see this in action! I know he said he has a video of an overview, but with all the glitching with redstone will we ever know if it actually works?
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Retired StaffYou could do that, or any material really. I would probably use a sand and gravel printer though, easier to build and less pistons/redstone = less glitches.
Basically, the way mine is coded, the first bit sends information from the reading bus to the first expansion slot, which I have hooked up to a binary display. The second bit is to read from ROM, the two bits after that are the location of the ROM. There are four 8-bit sections of ROM, but computers operate in binary so only 2 control bits are needed to designate the location. They are fed into a decoder, selecting the correct byte of ROM. (In case you didn't know, 1 byte = 8 bits.)
00 = ROM0
01 = ROM1
10 = ROM2
11 = ROM3
The next bit in the program instructions is to read from RAM, it sends whatever is currently stored in a selected byte of RAM onto the reading bus. The next two program instructions are for location, and work the same way as ROM location. The instruction after that writes to RAM, saving whatever happens to be on the writing bus to a byte of RAM (or multiple bytes, if you want) Once again, the two commands after that are location.
The following two bits are ALU functions, the first being addition, the second is subtraction. Whenever two values are input into the ALU, the outcome for every possible function is already calculated. Then, when you send a signal to the function you want to use, the data is retrieved instantly. (Well, with a delay in the time it takes that signal to reach the muxer you're trying to deactivate.) The two instructions after that are the ALU inputs, A and B. Say you put 1011 (eleven) into input A, and 0100 (four) into input B. The ALU will process these inputs for every function automatically, depending which function control you activate you can get 1111 (fifteen) for addition or 1000 (eight) for subtraction.
The next four bits in the program are called "go to commands" and they're just used to control the program counter. For example, my demo program, which is a basic counting operation, starts in the program memory at bit 0, goes to bit 15, and loops back to the fourth set of commands, or bit 3, then goes to 15, returns to three, repeating the loop over and over, basically counting to infinity. Well, actually it counts to 255, since that's the maximum amount of combinations you can get out of 8 digits being ones or zeros.
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Retired StaffI've already said the circuitry has its issues, it will probably never be 100% reliable, and it won't work as efficiently as the redstone computers on PC for a long time, that's all up to 4J. I've delayed the clock down to a painfully slow, snail-like pace of 25 ticks, or 2.5 seconds per operation. At this speed, the program has ran for around 10 minutes, counting with only a few errors. (Usually just the addition function failing, so not a major setback.) Sure, I have to clear my cache every time I want to run a program with, I'd say 85% reliabilty for a few minutes, but it's still impressive how well it's working, being such a massive circuit.
I'm watching you... do not talk about me.... you will get in trouble
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Retired StaffI forgot to answer this in my mega-post.
That wasn't the greatest explanation, but I think you'll get the point.
Btw, I don't know if you saw in one of the posts, but there will be a more detailed video, showing a program working properly. (I hope
And thanks, I don't blame you for doubting it. I, too, believed this would be impossible a couple months ago.
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Retired StaffOh, it's possible, I think you could only make 8 by 8's with one that uses a typical solid block. But I would think you could make one that could do a 16 by 16 px image with sand and gravel. Either way, I'll have to use an 8x8, 16x16 wouldn't be compatible with the computer.
Ha! Nice one. I'm good to record today, whenever you're ready.
That would be so beast. Make sure you post it if you do