---
layout: page
title: DEC PDP-11 Absolute Loader
permalink: /apps/pdp11/tapes/absloader/
---

DEC PDP-11 Absolute Loader
--------------------------

The Absolute Loader is a special tape image that must be loaded in order to load *other* tapes
which use the Absolute Loader format.

To see the Absolute Loader in action, start with the [Bootstrap Loader Demo](/devices/pdp11/machine/1120/bootstrap/debugger/).

PCjs has archived the following DEC resources:

- [Absolute Loader](DEC-11-L2PC-PO.json)
- [LISTING OF PDP-11 ABSOLUTE LOADER (June 1975)](http://archive.pcjs.org/pubs/dec/pdp11/other/DEC-11-UABLA-A-LA_PDP-11AbsoluteLoaderListing_Jun75.pdf)
- "APPENDIX D: THE BOOTSTRAP AND ABSOLUTE LOADERS" from the [PDP-11 BASIC PROGRAMMING MANUAL (December 1970)](http://archive.pcjs.org/pubs/dec/pdp11/basic/DEC-11-AJPB-D_PDP-11_BASIC_Programming_Manual_Dec70.pdf)