One of the reasons why vintage 8-bit CPUs like the MOS 6502 are still so popular (and manufactured) today, is that they are so approachable. The instruction sets of these chips are usually so small, that you can write machine code almost by hand, and just understand the thing as a whole.

But oftentimes it happens, that after building your own 8-bit machine, you end up only implementing some simple experiments. You add two 8-bit numbers, maybe implement a 16-bit addition with carry and then ...🥱

But actually it gets really interesting, when you start coding the axiom tree of mathematics. At least a part of it. And what are the obvious candidates if your hardware can add and subtract?

Right, multiplication and division.

Neil Parker's writeup on the subject is as competent as it is interesting. And if you're in the mood to finally breathe a little more life into the DIY build on your desk in the coming days off, you'll definitely get a taste for it again here!