Microsoft Excel is known for its versatility (it can even run a classic first person shooter). Fate) – but who knew that the spreadsheet software could also be used to build a functioning CPU?
It may sound ridiculous, but that’s exactly what a YouTuber named Inkbox has done, as shown in a detailed 16-minute video. Inkbox achieved this feat without using Visual Basic scripts or plug-ins, purely by leveraging the capabilities of Excel.
The result is a 16-bit CPU that runs within Excel at a clock speed of 3 Hz, complete with 128 KB of RAM, a 16-color 128 x 128 pixel display, and a custom assembly language. Plus, the CPU files are available on Github for anyone to try out.
Excel-ASM16 assembly language
One of the most impressive aspects of this project is Inkbox’s creation of a fully functioning assembly language for the Excel CPU. It’s called Excel-ASM16 and it contains 23 different statements and supports variables, labels and even binary file support. These functionalities may be fundamental to an assembly language, but they are quite significant given the limitations of a 16-bit CPU running Excel.
In the source video, Inkbox provides a detailed explanation of the Excel features used in the project and how they were manipulated to create a functioning 16-bit CPU. Although the CPU speed does not exceed 3Hz, the time-lapse demonstration allows viewers to see the internal workings of the CPU.
While the 16-bit CPU built into Excel has its limitations, it shows an impressive level of technical skill and creativity from Inkbox. The freely shared Excel-ASM16 and its CPUwith some sample programs on Github, offering like-minded Excel users the opportunity to explore this unique creation for themselves.
Watch the video below:
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