[comp.sys.tahoe] What is the BTCS instruction ?

jgd@CSD4.CSD.UWM.EDU (John G Dobnick) (01/25/91)

We received some code to fix a problem on our tahoe machine -- code
which uses the BTCS instruction.  While the assembler seems to know
what this is, it is _not_ described in any of the manuals we have
available.  This makes it slightly difficult to understand just what
the code is doing.  (I believe we have the most current manuals our
vendor supplies.  This does not mean they are _really_ current, however.)

My Question of the Day is:

	What is this BTCS instruction?

Ideally, I seek a response that provides all the information that the
architecture reference manual supplies for the other instructions --
to wit, instruction format, operand specifications, description of
operation, "pseudo code" description of the instruction, condition
codes, etc.

Thank you for whatever information you can supply,
-- 
John G Dobnick  (JGD2)
Computing Services Division @ University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
INTERNET: jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu             ATTnet: (414) 229-5727
UUCP: uunet!uwm!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!jgd

"Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation,
and is thus a source of civilized delight."  -- William Safire

mark@SSD.HARRIS.COM (Mark Smith) (01/30/91)

In article <9101241939.AA19540@csd4.csd.uwm.edu> jgd@CSD4.CSD.UWM.EDU (John G Dobnick) writes:
>We received some code to fix a problem on our tahoe machine -- code
>which uses the BTCS instruction.  While the assembler seems to know
>what this is, it is _not_ described in any of the manuals we have
>available.  This makes it slightly difficult to understand just what
>the code is doing.  (I believe we have the most current manuals our
>vendor supplies.  This does not mean they are _really_ current, however.)
>
>My Question of the Day is:
>
>	What is this BTCS instruction?
>
>Ideally, I seek a response that provides all the information that the
>architecture reference manual supplies for the other instructions --
>to wit, instruction format, operand specifications, description of
>operation, "pseudo code" description of the instruction, condition
>codes, etc.
>

Chapter 8 (Instruction Set) of the Harris Computer Systems Division
HCX-7 and HCX-9  Architecture Manual (Publication Number 0830022-100) 
decribes the BTCS instruction as follows:


			BTCS
		BRANCH TO CONTROL STORE

Purpose:		Custom design of new instructions
Format:			opcode operand
Condition Code
Settings:		N Z V C
Exceptions:		None
Related Opcodes: 	0xCE - Branch to WCS
Detailed Description:	Branch to one of sixteen WCS locations. This
			instruction allows the addition of customized
			instructions for specialized functions.
Processing Details:	Branch to one of sixteen unique WCS locations
			pointed to by the last four bits of htet operand.

			btcs()
			/*********************************************/
			/*BRANCH TO ONE OF SIXTEEN WCS LOCATIONS     */
			/*********************************************/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's it. Hope it helps.

>Thank you for whatever information you can supply,
>-- 
>John G Dobnick  (JGD2)
>Computing Services Division @ University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
>INTERNET: jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu             ATTnet: (414) 229-5727
>UUCP: uunet!uwm!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!jgd
>
>"Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation,
>and is thus a source of civilized delight."  -- William Safire

Mark Smith
Internet:  mark@flipper.csd.harris.com
UUCP:      ...!uunet!travis!flipper!mark


Mark Smith
Internet:  mark@flipper.csd.harris.com
UUCP:      ...!uunet!travis!flipper!mark