A Minecraft player created a computer capable of actual calculations using only sticks, stones and fire.
Using the tools and materials in Minecraft, a Minecraft player named “theinternetftw” created a simple Artihmetic Logic Unit, or ALU, which is the basis of all computer microprocessors. By using torches to ignite Redstone wires, which can then carry a charge, theinternetftw’s computer is able to perform simple arithmetic. In the demo video, he adds 2 + 1, and the answer is output as 11, which equals 3 in binary code. The project is far from complete as he plans to add RAM and registers to make it a legitimate computer.
Using technical prowess far beyond mine, theinternetftw got the idea to build the ALU from a book called The Elements of Computer Systems from the MIT Press. He implemented the hack computer system in Minecraft based on the specs described in that book.
If your brain is hurting from the fact that someone used a computer game, which runs on many more complex ALUs combined into a microprocessor, to create a rudimentary ALU, you are not the only one. It’s like Alanis Morrisette’s Ironic song and Double Rainbow all combined into one.
I’m not sure what it means, but it’s awesome.
Source: Hack A Day
