模拟器是如何工作的?当我看到NES/SNES或C64模拟器时,我很震惊。

您是否必须通过解释特定的组装指令来模拟这些机器的处理器?还有什么?它们通常是如何设计的?

你能给那些对编写模拟器(特别是游戏系统)感兴趣的人一些建议吗?


当前回答

模拟器很难创建,因为有很多黑客(在不寻常的 效果),时间问题,等等,你需要模拟。

有关示例,请参见http://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=1755886。

这也会告诉你为什么你需要一个多ghz的CPU来模拟一个1MHz的CPU。

其他回答

当你开发一个模拟器时,你是在解释系统正在运行的处理器组件(Z80、8080、PS CPU等)。

您还需要模拟系统拥有的所有外设(视频输出、控制器)。

你应该开始为简单的系统编写模拟器,比如旧的Game Boy(使用Z80处理器,我是不是没有弄错)或C64。

是的,你必须“手工”解释整个二进制机器码的混乱。不仅如此,大多数情况下,您还必须模拟一些在目标机器上没有等效硬件的外来硬件。

简单的方法是一个接一个地解释指令。这工作得很好,但是很慢。一种更快的方法是重新编译——将源机器码转换为目标机器码。这比较复杂,因为大多数指令都不是一对一映射的。相反,您将不得不制定涉及额外代码的详细变通方案。但最终还是要快得多。大多数现代模拟器都是这样做的。

在创建了我自己的80年代BBC微型计算机模拟器(类型VBeeb到谷歌)后,有许多事情要知道。

You're not emulating the real thing as such, that would be a replica. Instead, you're emulating State. A good example is a calculator, the real thing has buttons, screen, case etc. But to emulate a calculator you only need to emulate whether buttons are up or down, which segments of LCD are on, etc. Basically, a set of numbers representing all the possible combinations of things that can change in a calculator. You only need the interface of the emulator to appear and behave like the real thing. The more convincing this is the closer the emulation is. What goes on behind the scenes can be anything you like. But, for ease of writing an emulator, there is a mental mapping that happens between the real system, i.e. chips, displays, keyboards, circuit boards, and the abstract computer code. To emulate a computer system, it's easiest to break it up into smaller chunks and emulate those chunks individually. Then string the whole lot together for the finished product. Much like a set of black boxes with inputs and outputs, which lends itself beautifully to object oriented programming. You can further subdivide these chunks to make life easier.

Practically speaking, you're generally looking to write for speed and fidelity of emulation. This is because software on the target system will (may) run more slowly than the original hardware on the source system. That may constrain the choice of programming language, compilers, target system etc. Further to that you have to circumscribe what you're prepared to emulate, for example its not necessary to emulate the voltage state of transistors in a microprocessor, but its probably necessary to emulate the state of the register set of the microprocessor. Generally speaking the smaller the level of detail of emulation, the more fidelity you'll get to the original system. Finally, information for older systems may be incomplete or non-existent. So getting hold of original equipment is essential, or at least prising apart another good emulator that someone else has written!

我从来没有做过像模拟游戏机这样奇特的事情,但我曾经上过一门课程,作业是为Andrew Tanenbaums结构化计算机组织中描述的机器编写模拟器。这很有趣,给了我很多顿悟的时刻。在开始编写一个真正的模拟器之前,您可能需要先阅读一下这本书。

还可以查看Darek Mihocka的Emulators.com,获得关于jit指令级优化的建议,以及许多关于构建高效模拟器的其他好东西。