SRCD: Software Rapid Character Display
8-131

David M. Kristol, Moore School of Electrical Engineering,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

SRCD {Software Rapid Character Display} is not a program
but a method for quick display of a maximum number of text
characters. A listing of increment-mode command words
is supplied for the sixty-four characters on the Teletype
keyboard. Each character is drawn within a 5 x 7 dot matrix
followed by two blank points to provide spacing. It is mostly
useful for displaying buffers of text, such as for editing
programs or in utilization of the display as a satellite pro-
cessor in time-sharing systems. In these appl ications, the
PDP-8 is frequently sitting in a loop, "listening" for keyboard
characters, or simply doing nothing. With SRCD, the
main frame is constantly engaged in background work,
helping to display characters, and I/O is handled by interrupt
servicing routines.

Catalog: November 1969