Learn computer architecture by seeing it in action. BasCAT is an educational 8-bit computer simulator that lets you write code, watch data flow through the CPU, and understand how computers really work.
🔧 Visual Circuit Simulation — Watch data flow through CPU, ALU, registers, memory, and buses in real-time
📝 Dual-Level Programming — Write in SimpleBASCAT (high-level) and see the assembly code it generates
🐛 Interactive Debugging — Step through code instruction-by-instruction and watch the circuit animate
📊 Performance Metrics — Track instruction count, execution flow, and program size
🖥️ Memory-Mapped I/O — Interactive input/output system for building real programs
📚 Example Programs — Learn from included examples covering all features
Choose the version for your platform:
| Platform | Download |
|---|---|
| 🐧 Linux | bascat-linux |
| 🪟 Windows | bascat-windows.exe |
| 🍎 macOS | bascat-macos |
# Clone the repository
git clone <repository-url>
cd BasCAT
# Setup (creates virtual environment and installs dependencies)
./setup.sh
# Run the application
./run.sh- Assembly Language — 23 instructions including arithmetic, logic, branching, and I/O
- CPU Architecture — How the ALU, registers, and control unit work together
- Memory Systems — RAM, stack operations, and memory-mapped I/O
- Compilation — See how high-level code translates to machine instructions
- F1 — Assembly Instruction Reference
- F2 — SimpleBASCAT Language Guide
- Examples Menu — Load and explore sample programs
- From Source: Python 3.12+, PyQt6
- Binary: No dependencies required
| View Mode | Minimum Window Size |
|---|---|
| BASIC + Assembly | 1640 × 965 |
| BASIC Only | 1360 × 965 |
| Assembly Only | 1340 × 965 |
Recommended: 1920×1080 (Full HD) or higher
| Resolution | Supported |
|---|---|
| 1920×1080 (FHD) | ✅ Yes |
| 2560×1440 (QHD) | ✅ Yes |
| 3840×2160 (4K) | ✅ Yes |
| 1366×768 (HD) | ❌ Too small |
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| CPU | 8-bit with embedded ALU, 4 general registers (A, B, C, D) |
| Memory | 256 bytes RAM with stack support |
| I/O | Memory-mapped input (0xFF) and output (0xFE) |
| Buses | Visual data and address bus animations |
A comprehensive 15-week Computer Science course is available for educators and institutions using BasCAT.
| Part | Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 1-6 | Assembly Programming |
| Part 2 | 7-10 | BASIC Programming & Compilation |
| Part 3 | 11-15 | Computer Architecture Concepts |
Topics include: Data movement, arithmetic & I/O, logic operations, control flow, stack & memory, CPU architecture, pipelining, cache memory, and more.
Course materials include: Weekly lesson plans, lab activities, quizzes, projects, student handouts, and teacher resources.
📧 Interested? Contact us to request course materials:
- Email: info@fragillidaesoftware.com
- Website: www.fragillidaesoftware.com
"Understanding computers from the ground up"