Assembling microprocessor software with minicomputers. [Definition of instruction sets with macros]
T.A. Seim · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1976
The combination of a general purpose computer and its supporting software transforms into a virtual machine with special-purpose capabilities. A virtual computing system for developing microprocessor software can be realized by extending the capabilities of existing systems, rather than building a completely new system. One technique useful in extending computer system capabilities is the definition of micro- and minicomputer instruction sets with macros. Thus, a standard minicomputer assembler combined with a set of macro definitions becomes a virtual assembler for another processor. The methodology of macro implementation is described for a DEC PDP-11, and example macro sets for the Intel 8080 and Motorola 6800 are included. 2 figures