Compiling C to printable x86, to make an executable research paper

What this video covers

Tom7 explains how he built a SIGBOVIK 2017 paper made only of printable ASCII bytes that is also a valid DOS executable. He writes a C compiler targeting printable x86 without self-modifying code and solves the puzzles the constraint creates.

Why it surfaced in Hacker News

HN fans call it a favorite engineering video and a showcase of Tom7's masterpiece-level, playful hacking.

Recommendation context

Short excerpts from positive mentions. Open the source to read the full Hacker News discussion.

“I like his compiler that generates executables made up only of printable characters”

“His video about the printable x86[1] is my favorite engineering video of all time.”

“Absolutely every video on his Youtube channel is a masterpiece”