# RPCEmu

> Emulator of classic Acorn computer systems

**Wikidata**: [Q100994999](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100994999)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rpcemu

## Summary
RPCEmu is a free software emulator designed to replicate classic Acorn computer systems, enabling users to run RISC OS and legacy Acorn software on modern hardware. It is particularly notable for emulating the Acorn Archimedes and maintaining active development, with the latest stable version released in 2020.

## Key Facts
- **Latest stable version**: 0.9.3 (released May 7, 2020)
- **Emulates**: Acorn Archimedes computers
- **Operating system**: Runs RISC OS (originally developed in 1987)
- **Software classification**: Free software (users can run, modify, and distribute it)
- **Official website**: http://www.marutan.net/rpcemu/index.php
- **Version history**: Stable releases date back to at least 2013 (version 0.8.10)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the latest version of RPCEmu?
A: As of 2020, the latest stable version is 0.9.3, released on May 7, 2020.

### Q: Does RPCEmu require original Acorn hardware to run?
A: No, RPCEmu is a software emulator and does not require physical Acorn hardware.

### Q: Is RPCEmu free to use and modify?
A: Yes, it is distributed as free software, allowing users to run, study, modify, and share the emulator.

## Why It Matters
RPCEmu plays a critical role in preserving the legacy of Acorn computers, a line of systems influential in 1980s–90s computing. By emulating hardware like the Acorn Archimedes, it enables enthusiasts, educators, and developers to run historical software, study retro computing, and experiment with RISC OS in a modern context. As free software, RPCEmu promotes accessibility and community-driven improvement, ensuring that the Acorn ecosystem remains functional and relevant decades after its peak. This tool not only serves nostalgia but also supports educational initiatives and low-level programming projects tied to vintage systems.

## Notable For
- **Emulation accuracy**: Faithfully replicates Acorn Archimedes hardware.
- **Active maintenance**: Updated regularly, with stable releases as recent as 2020.
- **Free software ethos**: Openly licensed for community contribution and modification.
- **RISC OS compatibility**: Provides a platform for running legacy Acorn operating systems and applications.

## Body
### Development History
RPCEmu has undergone consistent updates since at least 2013, with notable releases including:
- **0.8.10 (March 27, 2013)**: Early stable version.
- **0.9.0 (May 5, 2018)**: Major update introducing significant improvements.
- **0.9.3 (May 7, 2020)**: Latest stable release with bug fixes and feature enhancements.

### Technical Specifications
- **Emulated hardware**: Acorn Archimedes systems.
- **Guest operating system**: RISC OS (developed by Acorn, first released in 1987).
- **Host requirements**: Not explicitly specified, but designed for modern operating systems.

### Features
- **Open-source**: Source code is freely accessible and modifiable.
- **Cross-platform compatibility**: Implied by its design for modern systems, though specific host OS details are not provided in source material.
- **Preservation focus**: Enables running obsolete software for historical or educational purposes.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.marutan.net/rpcemu/index.php#release_notes)
2. [Source](http://www.marutan.net/rpcemu/oldreleasenotes.php)