maa@nbires.NBI.COM (Mark Armbrust) (07/14/89)
AnyWare Engineering Jonathan Griffitts (303) 442-0556 920 Eighth Street Boulder, CO 80302 CROSS ASSEMBLER SUPPORTS ANY TARGET INSTRUCTION SET Boulder, Colorado -- If you're tired of buying a new assembler every time you use a new microprocessor, or if you need software tools to support a rare or custom processor, then the CASM retargetable cross assembler can solve your problem. Unlike other assemblers which target only a specific processor, CASM's target instruction set is configured by a definition file so it can support ANY processor. Definitions for many common microprocessors are included in the package. Users can customize these or write entirely new definitions to suit their needs. During assembly, source parsing and code generation are controlled by a definition file using a procedural programming language. When writing a definition, the user can handle special cases by programming with IF/THEN/ELSE structures, loops, subroutines, etc. -- using techniques familiar to any programmer. This gives CASM a unique level of flexibility and is far more powerful than the more primitive table- driven technology. The CASM assembler is full-featured, supporting code relocatability and segmentation, macro and conditional assembly facilities, and INCLUDE files. The package includes a linker (CLINK) which combines separately assembled modules and assigns addresses. Powerful memory segmentation gives the programmer as much control over address assignment as desired. CLINK can automatically split output files when multiple ROMs need to be programmed. For those working with unusual or proprietary hardware, the CASM package can generate code for any byte or bus size from 1 to 255 bits. It has been used for microcode, digital signal processors, and 32-bit RISC CPUs as well as more mundane 8 and 16 bit microprocessors. CASM does not sacrifice speed to get its outstanding flexibility. On a 10 MHz AT-compatible computer, CASM assembles a typical source file at rates of 7,000 to 11,000 lines/minute (up to 230,000 lines/minute for blank lines). The CASM package includes a comprehensive 130-page manual (available separately for $20, applicable toward the cost of the package). The manual contains an extensive tutorial as well as a reference section. CASM for MS-DOS computers has been shipping since February 1989, and lists at $195. Site licenses and dealer discounts are available. AnyWare Engineering is working on ports to other computers. For more information or to order, contact AnyWare Engineering at (303) 442-0556. VISA/MC accepted. AnyWare Engineering is a small electronics consulting firm, doing hardware, software, and firmware design since 1985. The CASM assembler was developed to fill AnyWare's own needs and has been in internal use since January 1987. [Posted for a friend--email requests for information will be passed on to AnyWare Engineering. Please include a mailing address. --MAA]