Retrocomputing: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:56, 25 February 2023

Revision as of 16:59, 29 March 2023

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[[Image:Apple-II.jpg|thumb|300px|The 1977 Apple II]]

'''Retrocomputing''' is the current use of older[[Vintage computer|older [[computer hardware|hardware]] and [[computer software|software]]. Retrocomputing is usually classed as a [[hobby]] and recreation rather than a practical application of technology; enthusiasts often collect rare and valuable [[Electronic hardware|hardware]] and [[software]] for sentimental reasons.<ref name="catb">{{cite web|url=http://www.catb.org/retro/ |title=The Retrocomputing Museum |publisher=Catb.org |access-date=30 October 2013}}</ref>

Occasionally, however, an obsolete computer system has to be "resurrected" to run software specific to that system, to access data stored on obsolete media, or to use a [[peripheral]] that requires that system.

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==Hardware retrocomputing==

===Historic systems===

{{Main|Vintage computer}}

Retrocomputing is part of the [[history of computer hardware]]. It can be seen as the analogue of [[experimental archaeology]] in computing.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.2424/ASTSN.M.2012.17|year = 2012|issue = 119|last1 = Cignoni|first1 = Giovanni A.|last2 = Gaducci|first2 = Fabio|title = Experimental Archaeology of Computer Science|journal = Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali Residente in Pisa Memorie Serie B|pages=111–116}}</ref> Some notable examples include the reconstruction of [[Babbage]]'s [[Difference engine]] (more than a century after its design) and the implementation of [[Plankalkül]] in 2000 (more than half a century since its inception).