skip to main content
article
Free Access

The significance of microprogramming

Published:01 January 1974Publication History
Skip Abstract Section

Abstract

Interest in the topic of microprogramming appears to have had a great growth in the middle and late 1960's, but since that time it has leveled off or declined somewhat. This paper examines the reasons behind this development and then offers a reconsideration of and a new proposal for the definition of microprogramming.This result is supported by the consideration of three phenomena. First is the evolution of microprogramming during the past twenty years. Second is the evolution in the use of interpretation as an implementation technique. Third is the set of "rules of thumb" resulting from the system designer having to resolve conflicting forces attempting to influence his activity.Five possible meanings of the term microprogramming are considered and rejected totally or in part prior to the one finally offered. The suggestion is made that this redefined concept be avoided as much as possible in the future, and two avenues for research alternatives are encouraged instead.

References

  1. Flynn, M., and Rosin, R. F. Microprogramming: an introduction and viewpoint. IEEE Trans. Comput. C-20, 7, (July 1971), 727--731.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  2. Foster, C., A view of computer architecture, Comm. ACM, 15, 7 (July 1972) 557--565. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  3. Foster, C., Computer Architecture, Computer Architecture News, 2, 1, ACM, (Jan. 1973). Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  4. Husson, S., Microprogramming: Practices and Principles, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1970.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  5. Opler, A., Fourth generation software, Datamation, vol. 13, No. 1 (Jan. 1967) 22--24.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  6. Rosen, S., Programming systems and languages, Comm. ACM, 15, 7, July 1972) 591--600. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  7. Rosin, R. F., Contemporary concepts of microprogramming and emulation. Computer Surveys 1, 4 (Dec. 1969), 197--212. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  8. Rosin, R. F., Frieder, G., and Eckhouse, R., An environment for research in microprogramming and emulation, Comm. ACM, 15, 8 (August 1972) 197--212. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  9. Weinberg, G., The Psychology of Computer Programming, van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1971. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  10. Wilkes, M. V. The best way to design an automatic calculating machine. Manchester U. Computer Inaugural Conf., 1951, 16--21.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  11. Wilkes, M. V. The growth of interest in microprogramming, Comp. Surveys, 1, 3 (Sept. 1969) 139--145. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  12. Wolontis, V. M., A complete floating-decimal interpretive system for the IBM 650 magnetic drum calculator, Technical Newsletter No. 11, Applied Science Div., IBM, March, 1956.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar

Recommendations

Comments

Login options

Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article.

Sign in

Full Access

  • Published in

    cover image ACM SIGMICRO Newsletter
    ACM SIGMICRO Newsletter  Volume 4, Issue 4
    January 1974
    57 pages
    ISSN:1050-916X
    DOI:10.1145/1217142
    Issue’s Table of Contents

    Copyright © 1974 Author

    Publisher

    Association for Computing Machinery

    New York, NY, United States

    Publication History

    • Published: 1 January 1974

    Check for updates

    Qualifiers

    • article

PDF Format

View or Download as a PDF file.

PDF

eReader

View online with eReader.

eReader
About Cookies On This Site

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Learn more

Got it!