emulator or simulation?

[Mike]

There are programs that emulate or simulate (?) a calculator on another machine, like TTCalc, emu41, emu71, Emu48, etc. Even HP did it: HP-41 Translator Pack for the HP-71B, and something alike for the HP-48S, the HP-12C on the 100OmniGo.

From my point of view, a SIMULATION allows to run the programs of one machine on an other by interpreting the program's instructions. A EMULATOR rebuilds logicaly on the 'new' machine the hardware of the 'old' one (CPU, display, keybord, RAM, ...). In fact this is an interpreter of the OS-firmware. Now the questions:

Does anyone on this forum care for the difference of emulator and simulation? Or are these therms already well defined (contrary to my point of view)?

Are there only pointers to simulations of calculators in MoHP? Is it because the emulators need a copy of the calculators OS to work?

There are firmware listings for the HP-41 on the net or ads for CDs containging those "NoMaS"-listings (Not Manufacturer Supported). Dos this mean, HP-41 emulators may be distributed with files of it's OS? Without violation of HP's copyright?

Ciao.....Mike

[Steve Simpkin]

I agree with your interpretation of simulation vs. emulation. For an emulation, you must have the legal right to use the OS firmware required before using the emulation. For example the Emu48 emulator for the HP48S/G series of calculators requires you to download YOUR copy of the HP48 OS from YOUR calculator. There is no other legal source of the OS other than owning the calulator. Anyone asking for a copy of the OS from the WEB is generally flammed.

Sincerely, Steve

[Mike]

Yes, for the calculators that are still sold, but what about the old ones? What about the HP-41 and all it's plug in modules?

Ciao.....Mike

[Steve Simpkin]

I'm not sure of the legality of downloading emulators/simulators of out-of-production calculators. I suspect that it is technically illegal but no ohe will complain about it. The HP41 simulator on www.hpcalc.org includes several ROMS (including Wickes) so I suspect no one cares about the legality issue.

[Mike]

Well, as I remember, the modules that come with TTCalc are all written in HP-41 user language. But what about firmware like the 12k OS or the Advantage module?

I am not shure that anybody cares about this (if possible, see on J. K. Horn's disk 11 the file /postings/dave.txt).

Ciao.....Mike