PDP-7


PDP-7

(computer)A minicomputer sold by DEC in 1964. It had amemory cycle time of 1.75 microseconds and add time of 4microseconds. I/O included a keyboard, printer, paper-tapeand dual transport DECtape drives (type 555).

DEC provided an "advanced" Fortran II compiler, a SymbolicAssembler, Editor, DDT Debugging System, Maintenanceroutines and a library of arithmetic, utility and programmingaids developed on the program-compatible PDP-4.

[DEC sales brochure].

The PDP-7 was considered reliable enough (when properlyprogrammed) to be used for control of nuclear reactors andsuch.

Around 1970 Ken Thompson built the operating system thatbecame Unix on a scavenged PDP-7 so he could play adescendant of the SPACEWAR game.