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Machine descriptions to build tools for embedded systems

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Languages, Compilers, and Tools for Embedded Systems (LCTES 1998)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 1474))

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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 λ-RTL, a notation that makes it possible for human beings to read and write RTLs without becoming overwhelmed by machine-dependent detail.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia, 22903, Charlottesville, VA

    Norman Ramsey & Jack W. Davidson

Authors
  1. Norman Ramsey
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  2. Jack W. Davidson
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Frank Mueller Azer Bestavros

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© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Ramsey, N., Davidson, J.W. (1998). Machine descriptions to build tools for embedded systems. In: Mueller, F., Bestavros, A. (eds) Languages, Compilers, and Tools for Embedded Systems. LCTES 1998. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1474. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0057790

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0057790

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-65075-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-49673-1

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