Path: utzoo!yunexus!geac!syntron!jtsv16!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!david
From: david@sun.uucp (David DiGiacomo)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: ARM (was RISC vs CISC)
Message-ID: <75457@sun.uucp>
Date: 31 Oct 88 20:50:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: sun.75457
References: <1213@dutesta.UUCP> <10606@cup.portal.com>
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Mtn View, CA
Lines: 16

The ARM's biggest advantage is its low cost.  It's probably the cheapest
32 bit CPU around, depending on whether the Z80000/Z320 exists (does
anyone know for sure?).  However, I don't think VLSI has been aggressive
enough on pricing.  If you could get an 8 MHz ARM for $10, wouldn't you
buy it instead of a 68000?

VLSI isn't too aggressive (assertive?) about support, either.  I'm sure I
could get some info if I bugged a salesman, but just calling up and asking
for data sheets didn't work too well.

One bizarre thing about the architecture is the lack of 16 bit load/store
instructions.  I imagine this would add some excitement to writing a C
compiler.

-- 
David DiGiacomo, Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, CA  sun!david david@sun.com