Emulating a 6502 System in JavaScript

Explore the fascinating world of emulating a 6502 microprocessor system using JavaScript in this 45-minute conference talk from GOTO Chicago 2016. Dive into the history of the iconic 6502 chip, which powered popular computers like the Apple IIe and BBC Micro. Learn about the chip's architecture, instruction set, and how it influenced early programming education. Follow along as Matt Godbolt demonstrates the process of building a 6502 emulator in JavaScript, covering topics such as opcode implementation, debugging techniques, and performance optimization. Gain insights into the challenges of accurately replicating vintage hardware behavior, including video chip emulation and cycle stretching. Whether you're a retro computing enthusiast or a modern JavaScript developer, this talk offers a unique blend of historical context and practical coding examples to deepen your understanding of low-level systems and emulation techniques.

Intro
First made in 1975
Other 6502 computers
The BBC Micro
Getting kids into programming
Elite
Exile
Why JavaScript
About the 6502
Instructions
LoadA
XY
How to start
What it looks like
Video Chip
Array
Fix
Debugging
Opcodes
Visual 6502
StoreAx
Alienation
Protection
Example
Fixing the code
Cycle stretching
Performance
Conclusion