"Nobody programs in machine language" (was: Modern Electronics(was

From: David V. Corbin <dvcorbin_at_optonline.net>
Date: Tue Jun 22 11:02:56 2004

>>>
>>> Making any of them fly is another matter -- you can't do
>>> that with ANY contemporary machine until and unless you
>>> really understand how it schedules instructions. And for
>>> modern machines that takes quite a lot of study (for RISC
>>> as well as x86). But to get started on writing just
>>> *correct* assembler code, RISC is a breeze.
>>>

This is 100% on target for environments such as the Pentium with L1 and L2
cache, pipelining, etc. IMHO there is no feasible method to teach this
within the time constraints of a university course [or even series of
courses]. Fortunately 99%+ of the students will not ever need it. (It should
of course be mentioned and explained)
Received on Tue Jun 22 2004 - 11:02:56 BST