Source: https://leanpub.com/

If you're serious about retrocomputing, sooner or later you'll have to design your own hardware. At least if retrocomputing is to be found before retrogaming in your very own compendium of priorities.

And there are a lot of options. You can easily start with simulators like LogiSim and Digital. You can quickly get to hardware description languages like Verilog and VHDL or you can spend your time stripping cables (that are always cut too short) and breadboards that sometimes have connectivity problems.

Sooner or later you will end up with FPGAs, which can be a lot of fun but also come with numerous challenges. But how satisfying is it, to actually see your own hardware design or your very own 8-bit CPU architecture in action on such a piece of hardware coaxed to the TV? Priceless. 🏆

But for those who don't like Verilog and friends, and for those who have always stuck their nose into purely functional languages, there is now a new option.

Haskell. (Yep, that Haskell). 😉

Gergő Érdi just introduced his new book Retrocomputing with Clash a few days ago. And even if it sounds strange at first, a functional language like Haskell is just an excellent choice for digital hardware design.

The book comes with a pay-what-you-want price, but sets back your bank account by at least $39.99.

If you've ever looked into alternatives such as Chisel, you'll have some serious fun with Clash.

Great book. Even more awesome project.