matrixofdynamism
Advanced Member level 2

The present era of graphics hardware are descendants of earlier devices. So I thought it would be interesting to read up on how the early devices worked. According to wikipedia "The TMS34010, released in 1986, is the first programmable graphics processor integrated circuit".
I have found a scanned version of the datasheet of this device. It lists the graphics instructions on page 11. Now looking at these instructions, except the line instruction, it is not immediately obvious how they are used when this device serves as a GPU. But neverthless, how do you think the designers decide that these 23 graphics instructions?
I have found a scanned version of the datasheet of this device. It lists the graphics instructions on page 11. Now looking at these instructions, except the line instruction, it is not immediately obvious how they are used when this device serves as a GPU. But neverthless, how do you think the designers decide that these 23 graphics instructions?