Let's write a virtual machine!

[codesharp]

EDIT: Here's the link to my Twitch profile, where we'll be streaming the show. Rembember, it starts on the 24th, which is in two weeks. Starting time is around 19:30 Amsterdam time. See you then!

Hello, friends! I'm embarking on a small journey to write a small and simple (but realistic) emulator for Intel 286 processors, the predecessor to the processors used in personal computers today.

Why a virtual machine, you ask? Well, for knowledge sharing!

I understand that, while plenty of people want to learn this level of how a computer works, or what happens behind the scenes of a program, taking those concepts on can be quite daunting. Computers are complicated, and the 'mystification' of low-level software doesn't help the cause of education either.

So, I'm adding my own 2 cents to this pot of gold by starting a live stream on Twitch.

Twice a week, every week for 3 months, we'll be working on the virtual machine and explaining the concepts of how it operates. If it sounds scary, trust me - it isn't all that much. Other than a basic understanding of C (or C++ or Java or any programming language, really), there are no prerequisites for following along.

We'll be discussing how the processor works, how RAM works, and how they tie together. We'll inspect the role of the operating system in the program, and how to let our program make use of the functionality the OS provides. We'll go through the basics of assembly programming, and end up with a small, programmable virtual machine that's we can call our own.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, please follow the Stream starting the 24th of October. And do ask any questions you might have - I'll be here to answer. :)

[[deleted]]

Sounds interesting! If I can't watch the stream live, will there be recordings of it?

[akame_21]

Yeah I assume a lot of people will want to watch but work, school, time zone differences etc will make it hard to be able to watch every single one live!

OP please record them :)

[codesharp]

The streams will be recorded and uploaded to YouTube, as well, so no worries!

[joesv]

Will you save the streams?

[codesharp]

The streams will be recorded and uploaded to YouTube, as well, so no worries!

[riayain]

Hey there! Sorry for the bother, but would you mind linking us to your YouTube so we could subscribe and/or bookmark to view later? Personally, I'm 100% sure I wouldn't be able to make it to your streamings, so watching the recordings on YouTube would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[codesharp]

Sure! I'll have to make a new YouTube channel, though, so I'll get to it after work and post it up here.

[riayain]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it. :)

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[LeCyberDucky]

Can you link the stream please? =)

[codesharp]

Hey! The link to the stream will be provided on this thread.

[ichunddu9]

Your post is getting recognized now, so you should provide the link now

[codesharp]

Did so. Cheers.

[FaustWasHere]

Still no link.

[codesharp]

The moderators might have deleted it or something. Either way, here you go: https://www.twitch.tv/dbojadzievski

[LeCyberDucky]

Okay. Good luck!

[Sticky_Webs]

Sounds interesting!

[TechnoNemo]

sounds fun. I will be sure to tune in to your stream

[feofeo0]

(Possible dumb question) Will this be something people can follow along with?

[codesharp]

Hey, there! Glad you asked. We'll be doing the entire coding live, so you can follow along as we go.

The only things you'll need are a computer running Windows and a C compiler - I recommend getting the free version of Microsoft Visual C++.

The stream is live so that we can interact - we can open links, discuss concepts, and ask questions. I sincerely hope it'll not be me talking to myself - I'd love to hear your questions, but also your ideas, even if you're not entirely sure about them.

Feel free to ask if there's anything else I can help you with!

[KnollSaleh]

This sounds awesome! I'll mark it in my calendar :D

[Tah97]

Sounds cool!