This page is for the How to implement hardware independence discussion topic.

(a) Using a Virtual Machine assembly language and translating to the target machine at run time or at primary execution time.
(b) Using a Virtual Machine script, an extension of the virtual machine, which extends (a) by allowing script/definition files to be written, defining how various "machines" or parts of a computer (eg, disk drive, video adaptor - similar in concept to device drivers, except a microprocessor is considered to be a special case of hardware - its just a base machine type) work, in relation to simple defined basic concepts. This can allow what would be device drivers to be written in their basic assembly language, while still being portable, if needed. What that means is that a VGA device driver (or VMS in this particular case) can be written in straight 80x86 assembly language - because that's where a VGA exists, while still being portable to other machines, in case they have VGA compatible adapter cards.

Ideas we are talking about ;

(to be filled in later.)

Conclusions about ideas ;

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Related links to information files ;

(b) more specific information on VMS's and the ideas about the (b) possibility, so far.
(a) information on Micheal Hobbs web page about his Virtual Assembler idea (a) option. Good as its bitsize independent.