PDP-11
The front panel, one gesture at a time
Free — in the browser
A school for the PDP-11 front panel. Set octal words, examine, deposit, and start.
Play
PDP-11 is a game for learning the front-panel gesture, not for booting Unix. The lessons follow an operator’s order: switches, LOAD ADRS, EXAM, DEP, ENABLE, START, CONT. The panel labels stay in DEC’s English. The sheet beside them is in English on this site.
The course is nine chapters, from the first bit to a loop. Then the panel is free, with three challenges. Progress stays in this browser.
This is not the full emulator. No bytes, no peripherals, no operating system. Paul Nankervis’s PDP-11/70, the one that runs Unix, RT-11, and RSTS, is linked inside the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it paid?
No. The game is free, on this page.
Where is the French version?
On qi.noematic.fr/pdp11. Same course, with a French sheet. Each site keeps its own progress.
Does it boot a real PDP-11?
No. It teaches the panel: octal addresses, examine, deposit, single step. The link to the full simulator is inside the game.