STOICVM CHIP-8 EMULATOR
(C) 2016 Zachary Hogarth
Currently known issues:
1) Some programs seem to work fine, some are glitchy, and many seem to end with a crash.
The IBM Logo, Hello BMP, Delay Timer, Clock, Fishie, Jumping X's and O's, Minimal game,
C8 Logo, Sqrt Test, Framed, Keypad Test, and Random Number programs seem to work just
fine.
Other applications seem to run alright, but the display is errant. I am unsure why,
however I have added a step-through function with live detailing of the CPU Registers,
Op Codes, Memory Location, and Keypad states, as well as very detailed error
reporting and CPU tracking. I am confident that the bug causing this is something
rather small, but will be found very soon.
Todo:
-Find bug causing display issues.
-Find out how to lock the VM at appropriate speed. I believe it's 40 hz,
have to look into it again.
-Write a live debugger to assist in debugging.
-Add SCHIP and MEGACHIP compatibility
-Maybe I should just make a MEGACHIP emulator, MEGACHIP is compatible
with CHIP-8 and SCHIP...
-Finish documentation and Wiki.
Future Dreams:
I'd like to make a simple programming language and compiler to make CHIP-8
applications. The simple language may be helpful to some for educational
purposes, or to get kids into the field. Making a compiler would be
quite educational for me as well.
I would also like to find a way to access the PC Speaker/Buzzer as an optional
method of emitting the beeps.
Release History
-----------------
[9/25/2016 - ALPHA 1 RELEASE PARTY!]
-Rewrote entire system, with separate functions for various commands. This
makes it far easier to read and work with the code.
-The graphics rendering is far less flickery, and now supports changing the
scale to make the screen bigger or smaller.
-More information on the screen, including status bar and system monitor (Accessible
through debug menu).
-Added a reset button, and checkmarks on toggled menu items.
-This version doesn't have sound. It is not a priority to re-instate it at this
time, but it wouldn't take much.
[9/20/2016 - PreAlpha stage 2]
-Added buffered graphics to cut down on screen flicker
-Added Turbo Button on and Off in Machine menu to slow down emulation.
This helps keep things playable and also cuts down on epileptic seizures.
-Added user input using traditional 1-4, Q-r, A-F, Z-V
[9/19/2016 - PreAlpha 1]
-Coded emulation core and live rendering
-Started repository and sourceforge project
