Simplest possible ALU implementation using only previously-defined chips?

Posted by ErikSwan on
URL: http://nand2tetris-questions-and-answers-forum.52.s1.nabble.com/Simplest-possible-ALU-implementation-using-only-previously-defined-chips-tp4034757.html

Hi everyone,

I am curious about what the simplest and most elegant implementation of the ALU possible is, using only the chips previously defined in the text. Let's define "simplest" as using the fewest number of parts, i.e. the fewest lines of code in the PARTS section of the HDL file.

I know that it is possible to do using 13 parts (13 lines of code in the PARTS section). However, there is one piece of this minimal 13-part implementation that feels inelegant—as if a specific chip is missing from the set of chips previously defined in Chapter 1.

If anyone has found a way to implement the ALU in less than 13 lines with only the chips previously defined in the text, please share how many lines (parts) you used. I would be very curious to know how it's done.