TAKING A RISC All this talk about Reduced Instruction Set Computing misses the point. What programmers need is not a Reduced Instruction Set - we need a Realistic Instruction Set - realistic in terms of what computers really do and in terms of what programmers really think. Here are some instructions for use on a Realistic Instruction Set Computer. Realistic Instruction Realistic Meaning Mnemonic BAH Branch and hang IIB Ignore interrupt and branch TDB Transfer and drop bits DO Divide and overflow DC Divide and conquer WIC Write invalid character RAST Read and shred tape CMI Clobber monitor immediately SRSD Seek record and scratch disk BST Backspace and stretch tape RIRG Read inter-record gap UDR Update and delete record SSB Scramble status byte EDR Execute destructive read EIO Execute invalid opcode EP Execute programmer ERM Erase reserved memory PDDD Print and destroy disk data MLR Move and lose record IWP Ignore write protect HCF Halt and catch fire SPO Screw up printer output IEOF Ignore end of file ROOD Run out of disk space WORD Write on read-only device PPL Perform perpetual loop DSH Destroy sector header ZD Zap directory SMD Spontaneous memory dump RPN Repeat previous nonsense DWIT Do what I'm thinking ACQT Advance clock to quitting time see you Malkie !