Ben Eater starts a series building a working computer on breadboards around the 6502 microprocessor. In this first part he gets a 'hello world' running from scratch.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN repeatedly recommends it as the best hands-on way to understand how a CPU and a computer work from first principles.
“It is highly recommended if you want to dive down into computers and digital logic on first principles.”HN comment, 2020
“The (awesome) youtube electronics teacher Ben Eater has just started a series of videos building a 6502 based computer on a breadboard”
Series building a 6502 computer on a breadboard.
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The (awesome) youtube electronics teacher Ben Eater has just started a series of videos building a 6502 based computer on a breadboard, and he sells kits. I just got my kit, so I'm really looking forward to the rest of the videos. He also offers the schematics for those wanting to jump ahead. this videolink
Strongly recommendscadence-Dec 2019
“Here is an amazing video on how to build a computer based on 6502 on a breadboard”
Build a 6502 computer on a breadboard and program it in binary.
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Here is an amazing video on how to build a computer based on 6502 on a breadboard, and program it in binary to get a Hello World equivalent. I highly recommend it: this video
Strongly recommendshalotropeApr 2020
“It is highly recommended if you want to dive down into computers and digital logic on first principles.”
Hands-on learning of computers from first principles.
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After stumbling on Ben Eaters “Hello world from scratch” [1] I went out and bought the cpu some parts and breadboards. The chip is only a few dollars. It is highly recommended if you want to dive down into computers and digital logic on first principles. Also great fun to get a break from all the screens and layers upon layers of software that I have to deal with daily. 1. this video
Strongly recommendshalotropeJun 2020
“incredibly helpful in connecting the dots between electricity and modern computers”
Connects electricity to modern computers for software engineers.
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I found the „Hello world from scratch“[1] series from Ben Eater incredibly helpful in connecting the dots between electricity and modern computers. Strictly speaking it is about electronics, still it is superbly presented and incredibly enlightening when coming from „normal“ software engineering perspective of things. What actually got me there was the book „Code“ by Charles Petzold[2] which traces the development from early circuitry like light bulbs and telegraph wires to modern digital logic. I found that after being introduced to these concepts, learning about the fundamental physics was much more accessible since it was framed in the context of contemporary application. 1: this video 2: link
Strongly recommendsthrowaway47292Nov 2021
“would strongly recommend to build it”
Follow along and build the computer yourself.
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i would suggest to follow Ben Eater's 8 bit computer this video and would strongly recommend to build it (you can see the parts on his website link or buy the whole kit)
Strongly recommendsNight_ThastusMay 2022
“I HIGHLY recommend Ben Eater's videos on the subject”
Explains loops, branches and hardware communication on a 6502.
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For anyone interested in the 6502, assembly and just in general how things like loops, conditional branches, hardware communication, etc all work, I HIGHLY recommend Ben Eater's videos on the subject: this video They are incredibly fascinating!
RecommendsfapjacksSep 2019
“you'll definitely enjoy what he does”
Ben Eater's video on building with the 6502.
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If anyone is interested in learning a little more about the 6502, Ben Eater recently did a video about it [0]. Also just in general if you hadn't heard of his channel and are reading this comment, you'll definitely enjoy what he does. [0] this video
RecommendsjedimastertDec 2019
“For anyone itching for more Ben Eater”
Ben Eater turns a 6502-type processor into a usable computer.
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For anyone itching for more Ben Eater, he's currently working on a series where he takes a 6502-type processor and turns it into a usable computer. Here's the first video: this video
RecommendshalotropeMay 2022
“Or Ben Eaters excellent beginner tutorial”
Beginner tutorial on basic electronics and computers.
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If fritzing gets #1 spot on HN I would like to wholeheartedly recommend link as well. IMHO much saner workflow and good UX in the latest version.I did a simple PCB and got it manufactured on link for a couple bucks. Quite a rewarding experience. I would also suggest that anyone who cares about computers gets to know basic electronics. How do transistors work, what is a bus (e.g I2C or SPI) and how is it all connected? (Drumroll ... a PCB of course). There is a ton of tutorials on youtube that do it end to end. E.g Phils Lab link for a PCB design. Or Ben Eaters excellent beginner tutorial "Hello World from Scratch" this video
Recommendsjgwil2Oct 2022
“that you might find interesting”
Hello world from scratch on a 6502.
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Ben Eater has a video series called "'Hello, world' from scratch on a 6502" that you might find interesting: this video
RecommendssantadakotaJan 2023
“Ben Eater's fantastic video series on building a breadboard 6502 based computer”
Fantastic series building a breadboard 6502 computer.
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Ben Eater's fantastic video series on building a breadboard 6502 based computer and an 8-bit breadboard computer from scratch might be appreciated in this thread. 6502 playlist: this video 8-bit build playlist: link He also sells kits if one is interested in playing along.
RecommendsTillESep 2024
“Ben Eater's 8-bit projects are the easiest place to start if you don't already deeply understand how such computers work.”
Easiest starting point for understanding how such computers work.
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Ben Eater's 8-bit projects are the easiest place to start if you don't already deeply understand how such computers work. He starts with the hardware and eventually builds up to writing non-trival assembly for it. this video
RecommendsJoel_MckayJan 2026
“Starting with a simple architecture is highly recommended.”
Shows what the CPU is actually doing, unlike high-level languages.
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I respectfully disagree, BASIC/Java/Arduino hides too much about how the CPU works from users. Getting a 6502 kit from Ben Eater, and walking though how the CPU works will implicitly show how languages abstracted away whats actually happening. And more importantly, the skills necessary to understand how to write efficient programs. this videolink Starting with a simple architecture is highly recommended. =3
