Extensibility - a new approach for designing machine independent microprogramming languages

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a new technique for designing high level machine independent microprogramming languages. In Section 1.0 we will discuss some design considerations for microprogramming languages and will review the previous efforts in the area of microprogramming languages. In Section 2.0, we will discuss extensible languages - what they are and why they are useful. Then in Section 3.0, we will show why an extensible microprogramming language resolves most of the difficulties inherent in designing a language for microprogramming. This section will also include a description of the language EMPL - our extensible microprogramming language. We will define its syntax, give some examples of how its extensible features can be used and finally will demonstrate the feasibility of constructing such a compiler.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.1 CONTROL STRUCTURES AND MICROPROGRAMMING
      B.1.4 Microprogram Design Aids
          Subjects: Languages and compilers

General Terms:
Design, Languages