johnl@ima.UUCP (06/02/87)
has anyone seen or heard of compilers for microcoded processors such
as:
AMD 2900/29000 bit slice family
Intel graphics chip
TI graphics chip
Motorola DSP chip set
writing microcode by hand is not pleasant, but i've seen few cross
compilers that target any of the above devices. a former employer
of mine used to sell a compiler for the AMD 2900 as installed in the
Adage 3000 graphics device; i know preston gurd (waterloo, canada)
sells a similar compiler on a free-lance basis.
any other comments, pointers and suggestions would be very much
appreciated.
--hal stern, polygen corp., {bu-cs, princeton}!polygen!stern
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mail accidentally sent back to compilers. Meta-mail to ima!compilers-requestjohnl@ima.UUCP (06/05/87)
In article <576@ima.UUCP> writes: >has anyone seen or heard of compilers for microcoded processors ...? Please be specific about what you are interested in. There are many software packages available that are classed as meta-assemblers that are available for doing microcode assembly. These include (but are not limited to) AMDASM (the original mass distributed microcode assembler), MetaStep from step engineering (an exelent macro micro assembler), Hale from HiLevel Technology ( " " " " " ), Macasm from Microtec (derived from an internal project at AMD called M29). I am sure there are many more. (Because opinions can be construed as representing a companies endorsement, I am unwilling to tell you which one I use at work and at home.) If your question was really about compilers, then the following may be of some help (but probably not much). Compilers for microcode fall into several classes. Normal languages in (C, FTN, ALG, ... APL) and microcode out. Then there are those that have their own unique highlevel language in, and generate microcode out. This later class usually has an input language that makes it very difficult to port to any other micro architecture. In this category that have been inumerable academic projects that follow this direction, and have resulted in many masters and PHD degrees, at which point the research inevitably ends, untill someone else trys to reinvent this incomplete wheel. FLAME SUIT ON>>> There are no general purpose (i.e. C or Fortran) to arbitrary (read: user specifiable) micro architecture compilers. FLAME SUIT OFF>>> (If anyone wants to know why I think this is so, post a message. Hopefully you all know why and I can avoid some typing). BUT.................. For one of the products mentioned, the AM29000, there will certainly be multiple compilers available. This will include C, Pascal, Fortran, and others. There will also be several unix ports and realtime executives written for this processor. This is probably why most people would not class it as a microcoded processor. Philip Freidin @ AMD SUNYVALE on {favorite path!amdcad!philip) Section Manager of Product Planning for Microprogrammable Processors (you know.... all that 2900 stuff...) -- Send compilers articles to ima!compilers or, in a pinch, to Levine@YALE.ARPA Plausible paths are { ihnp4 | decvax | cbosgd | harvard | yale | cca}!ima Please send responses to the originator of the message -- I cannot forward mail accidentally sent back to compilers. Meta-mail to ima!compilers-request