Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!uunet!sco!jeffj
From: jeffj@sco.COM (Jeff Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mips
Subject: Re: MIPS code generator
Message-ID: <12503@scolex.sco.COM>
Date: Fri, 07 Jun 91 15:46:42 GMT
References: <33839@shamash.cdc.com>
Sender: news@sco.COM
Organization: The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
Lines: 33


In article <33839@shamash.cdc.com> peters@dsr.cpg.cdc.com (Rob Peters) writes:
>I have a company that wishes to convert their compiler to MIPs hardware.  
>The product is mostly coded in C, except for the Code Generator which is
>in assembly code (they do native implementations).  They are now converting
>80386 assembly routines to 4000 assembly code.  I suggested that maybe they 
>could use the MIPs Code Generator, assuming that it is modular and is
>accessible by a third-party compiler writer.
>
>I have been trying to get documentation regarding this MIPs Code Generator,
>but have had little luck.  Can anyone help me get information on this 
>product or tool?  Is there such a thing at all?  Would it help in the above
>situation or am I out in left field?  

I don't believe the MIPS back end is
availiable as a product or a public interface, but
what do I know?  Ask MIPS.  I just wanted to suggest
a possible alternative approach.  You might consider
converting the 386 assembler to C.  Then you will be
using the MIPS back end to generate your own :-).
But seriously, in RISC philosophy the compiler should 
be about as smart about generating code as you are.
Others may have some more informed opinions about that.
What had to be in assembler an a 386 may not need to be on an R4000,
unless there is a religious belief about bootstrapping the
compiler from an assembler.  You'll probably get acceptable 
performance from C, and you'll be really glad when you port 
it to the next processor.  Just an idle thought to ruminate on.


Jeff Johnson, The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. (A division of your company)
email: jeffj@sco.com, uunet!sco!jeffj
Voice: 408-458-1422,  FAX: 408-458-0811