Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Intel 8086

123 bytes added, 11 May
/* Secret Instruction */
== Secret Instruction ==
The secret instruction is SALC (Set AL register to Carry). Its opcode is 0xD6. This instruction sets the AL register to 0 if the carry flag is 0, and sets the AL register to FF if the carry flag is 1. Intel put this in all its x86 processors but didn't document it, using it as a trap. If a manufacturer cloned an Intel processor, the presence of the SALC instruction would prove that the clone stole Intel's microcode.
Intel sued NEC for making 8086 clones, claiming that NEC ripped off Intel's microcode. NEC claimed they wrote their own microcode. NEC's chip didn't have the secret SALC instruction and Intel lost the case.
13,147
edits