Microassembler

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A microassembler is an aid that is able to generate binary microcode from readable symbolic switching instructions of a microprogram . The procedure is analogous to that of a (macro) assembler who translates and compiles a program into machine code from readable macro definitions and the mnemonics of an instruction set .

Since the creation of error-free microcodes requires detailed knowledge of the microprogram control and arithmetic logic unit to be programmed , which is not always freely available, microassemblers are mainly used in the production of microelectronically programmed components and the programming of their firmware , less for private purposes. A microassembler in the form of a microcode editor is implemented in the learning software microcode simulator MikroSim , which allows microinstructions to be put together as microcode in a menu-driven manner.

literature

  • R. Hoffmann: Computer design: arithmetic units, micro-programming, RISC '. 3. Edition. Oldenbourg, Munich 1993, ISBN 978-3-486-22174-9 , p. 182 (especially Chapter 5: Microprogramming).

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