Friday, January 17, 2014

[bssojwea] Toy computer

Create a simple computer which all it does is a Read Eval Print Loop (REPL).

The design aesthetic is a toy for a child in the style of an Etch-a-Sketch.  (Unfortunately most parents will be unable to use it.)

No external connectivity or storage (beyond command history).  This brings down the cost and conveniently avoids the problem of a child accessing "unsafe" content.  Anything that ends up on the computer the child will have to manually type in himself or herself.

The point of the toy is the joy of pure programming, of "I built it entirely by myself".

Perhaps Scheme as a compact, powerful language.  Many other possibilities.  (Perhaps include many.)  What included standard libraries?  (ARMpit Scheme)

Allow output of graphics and sound, though this probably makes things more expensive.

How cheaply can this be built?

Obviously, a child can graduate to a full computer once more powerful features are needed, such as stored programs and network connectivity.

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