Exploring Reverse Engineering: From Bulgarian Computers to ISCAS Benchmarks

On this reflective Friday, I delve into the intriguing world of reverse engineering, contrasting it with the current AI trend of building vast, inscrutable systems. While KPMG suggests rebranding AI investments as 'strategic enablers,' I prefer to look back at the art of reverse engineering, which involves deconstructing technology to truly understand its workings.

## The Pravetz: Bulgaria's Apple II

Growing up in Bulgaria, I used the Правец computers, a product of reverse engineering the Apple II. These machines, with their distinctive design and Cyrillic character set, were a testament to Bulgarian ingenuity under the Iron Curtain. Engineer Ivan Marangozov's creation, the IMKO-1, was a near-clone of the Apple II, adapted for Bulgarian needs. Despite the clandestine methods allegedly used to acquire the original Apple IIs, the result was a thriving computer industry in Bulgaria, producing 40% of the personal computers in COMECON countries by the mid-1980s.

## Reverse Engineering in Academia

The story of the ISCAS-85 benchmarks is a fascinating example of reverse engineering in academia. For fourteen years, researchers used these benchmark circuits without knowing their actual functions. It wasn't until 1999 that Mark Hansen and his team at the University of Michigan reverse-engineered these circuits, revealing their true purposes, such as the c432 being a 27-channel interrupt controller. This work transformed how researchers approached digital design, allowing for functional testing and more efficient test generation.

## The Broader Implications

Reverse engineering is akin to synthesis in reverse. Whether it's Marangozov's adaptation of the Apple II or Hayes's deconstruction of the ISCAS benchmarks, the process involves understanding a design deeply enough to replicate or adapt it. This approach contrasts sharply with the current trend of building AI systems that are complex and often inexplicable.

The moral of these stories is clear: while modern technology often focuses on forward construction, reverse engineering emphasizes understanding and meaning extraction. This method requires patience and a willingness to engage deeply with the material, rather than relying on vast computational resources.

Happy Friday, and remember, the circuits do not hallucinate.