LC-3 Virtual Machine

This project implements a virtual machine in C capable of executing LC-3 assembly code. The LC-3 (Little Computer 3) is a simple, educational instruction set architecture (ISA) designed for teaching fundamental concepts of computer architecture and programming.

Goal

The primary goal of this project is to create a functioning LC-3 virtual machine (VM) that can load, decode, and execute LC-3 assembly programs. This project serves as a practical introduction to:

• Understanding low-level programming concepts.
• Working with assembly languages and machine code.
• Simulating computer architecture using C.

The implementation follows the LC-3 instruction set, including features such as loading programs, executing instructions, and handling memory and registers.

Features

• Instruction Set Implementation: Supports LC-3 instructions such as arithmetic operations, bitwise operations, memory access, and control flow.
• Memory Management: Simulates memory using an array, enabling storage and retrieval of program data.
• Register Operations: Implements the LC-3's general-purpose registers and special-purpose registers like PC (program counter) and COND (condition codes).
• Input/Output Handling: Supports basic I/O operations for interactive programs.
• Assembly Execution: Runs LC-3 assembly programs, allowing users to explore how assembly code operates at the machine level.

Setup

To build and run the LC-3 VM, you need a C compiler (e.g., GCC or Clang). Clone the repository and follow these steps:

1. Build the Program:

   gcc -o lc3_vm lc3.c

2. Run the VM with an LC-3 Assembly Program

   ./lc3_vm ./games/2048.obj

Credit

This implementation has been done by following the tutorial “Building a Virtual Machine for the LC-3” by Justin Meiners and Ryan Pendleton. The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to understanding the LC-3 architecture and implementing a virtual machine for it in C.