What is MIX?

MIX is a theoretical model of computer, which can be used for different educational purposes: learning of computer principles, explanation of software foundations, exploring the efficacy of algorithms etc. The author of MIX is the famous scientist Donald Knuth.

MIX logo

MIX was developed nearly 40 years ago in the famous Knuth's book "The Art of Computer Programming".

As almost all machines MIX has its own ID number 1009 (MIX = 1009 in the Roman numerals). Knuth wrote that he had found the average sum of ID numbers of 16 real models, which are similar to MIX

(360+650+709+7070+U3+SS80+1107+1604+G20+B220+S2000+920+601+H800+PDP4+II)/16
and made the result his machine ID.

MIX is a very ancient machine so Knuth is developing a new model now. It is called MMIX.


Related topics:

"MMIX basics" page 1