The 8088 microprocessor, created by Intel in 1979, is a 16-bit processor capable of processing 16 bits of data simultaneously. It was the first processor used in IBM’s first personal computer – the IBM PC – when it debuted in 1981.
The 8088 was developed by Intel around the same time as the more powerful 80286 processor, for use in lower-end computers and other devices that didn’t need the extra processing power of the 80286.
One of the unique characteristics of the 8088 processor was its backward compatibility with the older 8086 chip. This allowed developers to easily create programs compatible with both processors.
The 8088 was widely used in computers and devices throughout the 1980s, such as IBM PC/XT, Commodore 64, and Atari 800. With advancement in computing power came newer processors such as 80286, 80386, and 80486, which became increasingly more complex over time.
Though its age, the 8088 still finds use in some specialized applications today, such as industrial control systems and embedded devices. But it will always be remembered as a pivotal figure in the development of personal computing and its widespread presence across homes and businesses around the globe.
