|
Abstract : |
Abstract. Because of poor tools, developing embedded systems can be unnecessarily hard. Machine descriptions based on register-transfer lists (RTLs) have proven useful in building retargetable compilers, but not in building other retargetable tools. Simulators, assemblers, linkers, debuggers, and profilers are built by hand if at all---previous machine descriptions have lacked the detail and precision needed to generate them. This paper presents detailed and precise machine-description techniques that are based on a new formalization of RTLs. Unlike previous notations, these RTLs have a detailed, unambiguous, and machine-independent semantics, which makes them ideal for supporting automatic generation of retargetable tools. The paper also gives examples of-RTL, a notation that makes it possible for human beings to read and write RTLs without becoming overwhelmed by machine-dependent detail. Machine Descriptions for Machine-Level Tools Developers for embedded systems often work without the benefit of the best, |
