Quite interesting stuff as usual :great
Kind of makes me wonder why many early processors had no ABS instruction, though.

Now is right and nice :great

I don't think it's a problem for buzzybe the limited +/-16384 range, nor the inverted x/y input.

Laziness? Or: "I gave you

neg

, use it!".
I could understand for a 'simple' processor (RISC or with PLA or with only state machine/combinational logic), but not for a micro/nano-coded one like the 68k..

So yes, ABS is a missed instruction.

Guys, you are amazing. Following this conversation feels almost like a rap battle to me - with all results having their own flavor.

@ross: You are the god of efficient code. Your skills are so inspiring.
@robinsonb5, I can absolutely tolerate the limited range and the inverted result. Just tested your code, works perfectly as a controller of Kraken attack wave animation frames. Will make them look amazing.

LOL - that will probably be the one and only occasion in my entire life when I'm likened to a rapper!



Glad to hear it worked out - thanks for a fun puzzle!