86.166.102.246

Hardware Multiplier

Hello! If the 8086 does not have a hardware multiply, then how are the MUL and IMUL instructions implemented? --moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 18:45, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

Nevermind, it's microcoded. moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 18:47, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

(edit conflict) @Moonythedwarf: The same way as the other instuctions - microcode. It was the presence of the hardware multiplier in the V30 that was the reason for it's ability to execute software significantly faster for the same clock speed. It was a plug in 'form, fit and function' replacement. In fact the 8087's max clock speed was designed to match the max. speed of the V30. 86.166.102.246 (talk) 18:51, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

Nice to know. I'm not as familiar with the earlier x86 processors as i'd like (I am decently familiar with more modern x86 architectures, and very familiar with the Motorola 88100.) moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 18:52, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

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Again, welcome! moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 18:52, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

@Moonythedwarf: Well, thank you for the welcome. However: I am not as new as I appear. It's the problem with being stuck with a dynamic IP address which changes outside of my control. 86.166.102.246 (talk) 12:50, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

Ah. What's your reason for not making an account, if I may ask? moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 13:55, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

Too many accounts with too many passwords (both professionally and for home use). With many passwords having to be changed monthly, management is a big enough nightmare as it is. 86.166.102.246 (talk) 13:57, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

Ahh. And I assume using a password manager like BitWarden is not possible? (Personally, I use the bitwarden server we host on Hellomouse, a group i'm part of, but that's for members only :P) moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 14:19, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

I have a password manager for those accounts where I can use one on my home PC. Password managers are not permitted on my work PC and passwords are not allowed be managed through them anyway (I shall leave it to your imagination as to why). 86.166.102.246 (talk) 15:06, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

Ah, that's a shame.

Sounds like your job may be a little backwards over passwords to me, but it's not my business.

..I can guess why not, however. (" My master password is "hunter2"! ") moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 15:08, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

Not backwards. Just very security conscious (a requirement of our principal customer). 86.166.102.246 (talk) 15:13, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

Ah. I've always thought constantly changing passwords to be less effective than just having a long password that isn't computationally crackable, mostly because changing passwords that often would encourage even me, someone who is very conscious of security, to start writing them down. moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 15:17, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

I might agree, but our principal customer doesn't and they know best (or at least they think they do). There are some fairly easy ways of generating hard to crack passwords. For example: "taSfewoGhtcp59". Generated from the previous sentence - first letter of each word (lower case); number of letters of first and last words with first consonant after each odd vowel capitalised. Make up your own rules but as long as you can remember a short phrase (the more obscure the better) and the rules you can always reconstruct your password. There is no compromise by writing the rules down (but obviously not the phrase!). 86.166.102.246 (talk) 15:25, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

Yep, pretty much exactly that. I just opt to use a encrypted password manager because I trust it, and can reroll all my passwords if needed moonythedwarf (Braden N.) 15:28, 22 January 2020 (UTC)

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