MIPS Assembly Language in Easy-Steps

By Sarah W Muriithi

Dive into the world of MIPS Assembly Language with 'MIPS Assembly Language in Easy-Step,' a comprehensive guide that demystifies complex concepts like Instruction Encodings, Arithmetic and Logical Operations, and C Data Types in MIPS Assembly. This book expertly navigates the intricacies of translating C Arrays and Pointers, Converting C Functions, and mastering MIPS Machine Language. Perfect for IT enthusiasts, computer organization aficionados, and programming novices, this resource-rich text is a must-have for anyone seeking to unlock the power of MIPS Assembly effortlessly.

MIPS empowers programmers to act as digital conductors, wielding assembly language to craft intricate software. By instructing processors on how to perform calculations, manipulate data, and control program flow, MIPS grants coders the ability to delve into the very core of how computers operate.

Understanding MIPS Assembly Language unlocks a gateway to a multitude of benefits. Programmers can leverage MIPS to optimize software for specific hardware, enabling them to extract maximum performance from a given system. It also facilitates interaction with low-level components, granting finer-grained control over how programs interact with the underlying hardware. Furthermore, MIPS empowers the creation of efficient programs, well-suited for tasks requiring maximum performance or tight resource constraints.

Whether you're a seasoned software developer seeking to broaden your skillset or a budding programmer embarking on your coding odyssey, MIPS Assembly Language provides a powerful foundation. By grasping the intricacies of MIPS, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how computers execute instructions, how processors fetch, decode, and execute operations, and how software interacts with hardware at its most fundamental level. This knowledge can prove invaluable in various domains, from computer architecture and embedded systems programming to operating system development and performance optimization. So, if you're ready to unlock the secrets of how computers truly work, MIPS Assembly Language is an essential key to add to your coding arsenal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah Muriithi
• Release date: Mar 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224733491

Book preview

Preface

Dive into the world of MIPS Assembly Language with 'MIPS Assembly Language in Easy-Step,' a comprehensive guide that demystifies complex concepts like Instruction Encodings, Arithmetic and Logical Operations, and C Data Types in MIPS Assembly. This book expertly navigates the intricacies of translating C Arrays and Pointers, Converting C Functions, and mastering MIPS Machine Language. Perfect for IT enthusiasts, computer organization aficionados, and programming novices, this resource-rich text is a must-have for anyone seeking to unlock the power of MIPS Assembly effortlessly.

MIPS empowers programmers to act as digital conductors, wielding assembly language to craft intricate software. By instructing processors on how to perform calculations, manipulate data, and control program flow, MIPS grants coders the ability to delve into the very core of how computers operate.

Understanding MIPS Assembly Language unlocks a gateway to a multitude of benefits. Programmers can leverage MIPS to optimize software for specific hardware, enabling them to extract maximum performance from a given system. It also facilitates interaction with low-level components, granting finer-grained control over how programs interact with the underlying hardware. Furthermore, MIPS empowers the creation of efficient programs, well-suited for tasks requiring maximum performance or tight resource constraints.

Whether you're a seasoned software developer seeking to broaden your skillset or a budding programmer embarking on your coding odyssey, MIPS Assembly Language provides a powerful foundation. By grasping the intricacies of MIPS, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how computers execute instructions, how processors fetch, decode, and execute operations, and how software interacts with hardware at its most fundamental level. This knowledge can prove invaluable in various domains, from computer architecture and embedded systems programming to operating system development and performance optimization. So, if you're ready to unlock the secrets of how computers truly work, MIPS Assembly Language is an essential key to add to your coding arsenal.

Table of Contents

Preface

MIPS assembly language

Introduction

Part 1: MIPS Architecture Fundamentals

Chapter 1: Demystifying the MIPS Register Set

Chapter 2: Understanding Instruction Formats

Chapter 3: Mastering Addressing Modes

Part 2: Foundations of Assembly Programming

Chapter 4: Writing Your First Lines: Basic Instructions

Chapter 5: Conquering Calculations: Arithmetic and Logical Operations

Chapter 6: Taking Control: Program Flow Statements

Part 3: Bridging the Gap: C to MIPS Assembly

Chapter 7: Fundamentals of C Programming

Chapter 8: Unveiling the Connection: C Code and MIPS Equivalents

Chapter 9: Translating the Language: Practical C to MIPS Conversion

Chapter 10: Calling Functions the MIPS Way: Subroutines and Parameters

Part 4: Advanced Concepts and Practical Application

Chapter 11: Memory Management: Accessing and Manipulating Data

Chapter 12: Handling Exceptions: Identifying and Addressing Errors

Chapter 13: Putting it All Together: Building a Complete MIPS Program

Appendix 1:

References

Appendix 2:

Glossary of Terms:

MIPS assembly language

Introduction

Welcome to the World of MIPS Assembly! 

Have you ever wondered how computers truly understand and execute your instructions? Delve into the fascinating realm of MIPS Assembly Language and unlock the secrets behind the scenes! This book is your comprehensive guide, specifically designed for beginners with no prior assembly language experience. Also, whether you're a seasoned developer looking to expand your skill set or a curious newcomer intrigued by the world of low-level programming, this book is tailored to meet your needs.

Why Learn MIPS Assembly? 

Why indeed should one embark on the journey of learning MIPS assembly language? The benefits are manifold. Mastery of MIPS assembly empowers you with the ability to delve into the intricacies of computer architecture, understanding the very foundation upon which modern computing systems are built.

Moreover, proficiency in MIPS assembly opens doors to a plethora of real-world applications. From embedded systems and microcontrollers to performance-critical computing tasks, the insights gained from learning MIPS assembly are indispensable for developers seeking to optimize code efficiency and harness the full potential of hardware resources.

MIPS assembly might seem like a complex language, but mastering its basics offers several significant advantages:

›  Deeper understanding of computers: Gain an intimate knowledge of how processors operate, translating your commands into machine-readable instructions.

›  Enhanced problem-solving skills: Develop logical thinking and algorithmic problem-solving abilities, applicable to various programming languages.

›  Improved code optimization: Learn how to write efficient and optimized code, unlocking the full potential of your programs.

›  Strong foundation for low-level programming: Build a solid foundation for exploring other low-level programming languages used in embedded systems and device drivers.

What You'll Learn: 

This book takes you on a step-by-step journey through the captivating world of MIPS assembly. You'll embark on a learning adventure, covering:

›  The fundamentals of MIPS architecture: Explore the essential components of a MIPS processor, including its register set, instruction formats, and various addressing modes.

›  The essential building blocks of assembly programming: Master the art of writing basic instructions, performing arithmetic and logical operations, and controlling the flow of your programs.

›  Bridging the gap between C and MIPS: Learn how to translate familiar C code constructs into their equivalent MIPS assembly instructions.

›  Advanced concepts for practical application: Dive deeper into memory management, exception handling, and building complete MIPS programs to put your newly acquired skills into practice.

By the end of this book, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to confidently write and understand MIPS assembly language, empowering you to unlock the full potential of your programming endeavors.

Part 1: MIPS Architecture Fundamentals

Introduction

Gain a solid grasp of the MIPS register set, instruction formats, and addressing modes

In Part 1 of MIPS Assembly Language in Easy Steps, we embark on a captivating journey through the fundamental pillars of MIPS architecture. From the enigmatic world of registers to the intricate tapestry of instruction formats and addressing modes, prepare to unravel the mysteries of MIPS assembly language programming with clarity and expertise.

the foundational pillar of MIPS assembly language: its architecture. Before delving into writing instructions, it's crucial to understand the very building blocks of the MIPS processor, the hardware that executes your code. This part serves as your essential roadmap to navigate this fascinating landscape.

Introduction to MIPS Assembly Language

In MIPS assembly language, a label is simply a name for a memory address. A label can name a data value, a set of instruction or a memory address. Labels are particularly useful when dealing with loops or conditional statements and a label is identified by a colon. When the program with labels is assembled, the labels are converted to the respective memory address that it points to. Also, remember that a label cannot be used to name a register.

In the image above, you can see a basic MIPS memory layout representation. Data and instructions are stored in the memory in order to be accessed by the CPU. The memory unit is usually represented as an array, so each box in the array represents a location capable of storing 8 bits of data. In a CPU, instructions are executed sequentially, therefore it is important to note that every instruction in a program must be stored in an adjacent location in the memory. On the other hand, data can be stored in any memory location and accessed randomly.

As you can see in the image above, the MIPS architecture is made up of numerous components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, input/output etc. The CPU itself is made up of an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), control unit, registers and finally the CPU interconnections which allow the various components in the CPU to communicate with each other. Also shown in the diagram is the interconnection that the CPU has with both the memory unit and the input/output units. These two units use a shared bus system known as the BIU (Bus Interface Unit) to communicate with the CPU. On another note, the MIPS CPU is understood as a 32 bit CPU, this is because the size of its internal data bus is 32 bits.

MIPS is an abbreviation that stands for Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages. MIPS assembly language simply refers to a low-level programming language that is used to write programs to perform tasks. It is also related to other higher programming languages such as C. Nonetheless, in order for a computer to execute any type of written program, it must be compiled into a binary machine code.

Basics of MIPS Architecture

1.1 Overview of MIPS Architecture MIPS Processor is a pipelined processor. It means that MIPS CPU carries on instruction fetching, decoding, execution and memory accessing for several instructions at the same time. All these steps can be classified into the following 5 stages: (1) Instruction Fetch, (2) Instruction Decode, (3) Execution, (4) Memory accessing and (5) Write Result back to the Registers. Because the data path of MIPS is designed symmetrically, the flow of the data with instruction can be divided into two symmetric parts. This book also provides readers with examples showing the contents of the Control Signals according to the idea of different instructions. Starting with the detailed functions and behaviors of registers in the datapath and control of MIPS, the book provides descriptive materials for discussing a block diagram of MIPS and the purpose of several signals in different parts of the MIPS. At the end of this part, examples are given to illustrate the sequence of the step by step execution of instruction. However, the examples use the contents in the Control Signals so that the readers can understand both the idea of MIPS pipeline and how these instructions executed step by step.

References;

SM Al-sudany, AS Al-Araji... - International Journal of ..., 2020 - researchgate.net. FPGA based MIPS Pipeline Processor with SIMD Architecture. researchgate.net

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SM Al-sudany, AS Al-Araji, BM Saeed - IRAQI JOURNAL OF COMPUTERS ..., 2021 - iasj.net. FPGA-Based Multi-Core MIPS Processor Design. iasj.net

Cited by 2

S Aruna, K SrinivasaNaik, D Madhusudan... - researchgate.net. Implementation of 5-Stage 32-Bit Microprocessor Based Without Interlocked Pipelining Stages. researchgate.net

M Annala - 2021 - diva-portal.org. Connecting high and low: Adaption and use of tools to increase students' understanding in programming. diva-portal.org

AY Oruc, A Atmaca, YN Sengun, A Yenimol - arXiv preprint arXiv ..., 2021 - arxiv.org. CodeAPeel: An Integrated and Layered Learning Technology For Computer Architecture Courses. arxiv.org

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EEEBEE LING - 2020 - eprints.utm.my. GCC TOOLCHAIN'SC COMPILER WRAPPER FOR THE AMIR CPU ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE. utm.my

MIPS Instruction Set Overview

The first section of this chapter lays the foundation for MIPS instruction set by covering basic data transfer instructions: load and store. In computer architecture, memory is a sequence of bytes, and each byte has its unique address. The data transfer instructions in MIPS are designed to move data between the CPU and the main memory. Then, the chapter touches on some arithmetic and logic instructions in MIPS. Arithmetic instructions in MIPS have the format OP rd, rs, rt where OP is the operation to be performed. It takes a value from rs, and a value from rt and performs the operation. The result is then stored in rd. For example, add r1, r2, r3 will add the content of r2 and r3, and store the result in r1. A detailed list of all supported MIPS instruction and detailed description can be found in the MIPS instruction Reference. A shorter and simpler reference is the MIPS Cheat Sheet. For logic instructions, they won't change any of the operands. The most commonly used probably is Shift instruction family, which contains logical shifts and shift and rotate. There are also certain constants predefined in the MARS, MIPS Assembler and Runtime Simulator. For example, SP is always pointing at the main memory location at the bottom, ra is mainly used to hold the return address. All register names can be found there. Some memory address symbols can be used as immediate values in the program. Last but not least, a brief introduction to SPIM is provided at the end of the section. SPIM is a MIPS32 simulator, and we usually use SPIM in the lab for outputting result to the console

Chapter 1: Demystifying the MIPS Register Set - The Scratchpad of the Processor

Imagine a set of high-speed memory locations readily accessible to the processor – these are the MIPS registers. They act as the processor's scratchpad, temporarily storing data and intermediate results during program execution. This chapter meticulously dissects the types of registers in the MIPS architecture, their specific functions, and how they interact with each other. You'll gain a clear understanding of:

General-purpose registers (GPRs):The workhorses of the MIPS processor,used for various computational tasks.

Special-purpose registers (SPRs):Specialized registers with dedicated functions,like controlling program flow and handling exceptions.

Program Counter (PC):The register that keeps track of the next instruction to be executed.

This comprehensive exploration, complete with practical examples, will equip you to leverage the register set effectively in your assembly language programs.

Chapter 2: Understanding Instruction Formats - The Language of the Processor

MIPS instructions, the fundamental commands that drive the processor, come in specific formats. This chapter meticulously demystifies these formats, akin to deciphering the language the processor understands. You'll delve into:

The core components of an instruction:Learn about theoperation code (opcode),which specifies the action to be performed,and theoperands,which provide the data needed for the operation.

Different instruction formats:Explore various instruction formats,each tailored for specific types of operations,like arithmetic or data transfer.

Decoding instructions:Gain the ability toreadandinterpretMIPS instructions,enabling you to