skip to main content
article
Free Access

A hypothetical computer to simulate microprogramming and conventional machine language

Published:01 March 1989Publication History
Skip Abstract Section

Abstract

Microprogramming is not generally available to programmers because it may involve modification of a machine's native language. A hypothetical computer can provide a simulator for microprogramming projects and add considerably to one's understanding of the subject of microprogramming and the concept of a multilevel machine. The classical text, Structured Computer Organization by Andrew S. Tanenbaum, contains a design for such a hypothetical computer. This paper presents an implementation of this machine with a user interface to permit development of microprograms as well as development of programs at the conventional machine language programming level. The user interface is similar to that of MS-DOS's DEBUG program. In addition to providing the basis for projects in Computer Architecture and Computer Organization classes, the simulator is being used as a simplified hypothetical machine in a Systems Programming class for the development of assembler, linker, and loader projects.

References

  1. Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Structured Computer Organization, Prentice Hall, 1984, pp. 126--148. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  2. Ibid., pp. 4--7.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  3. Ibid., p. 6.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  4. Ibid., p. 127.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  5. Ibid., p. 141.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  6. Ibid., p. 130.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar

Index Terms

  1. A hypothetical computer to simulate microprogramming and conventional machine language

        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 19-20, Issue 4-1
          Mar. 1989
          23 pages
          ISSN:1050-916X
          DOI:10.1145/378818
          Issue’s Table of Contents

          Copyright © 1989 Authors

          Publisher

          Association for Computing Machinery

          New York, NY, United States

          Publication History

          • Published: 1 March 1989

          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!