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

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Tue Jun 22 18:03:26 2004

> job using a major microsprocessor [PIC] that DOES NOT HAVE A [accessable]
> STACK. There is NO concept of push arguments on the stack and call the

It is, of course, possible to simulate a stack on the PIC using the
indirect addressing register. I've done it.
> 2) If "C" is a pre-requisite, write/purchase/acquire a small x86 emulator
> written in "C". It should be small [and probably not need to support the
> full x86]. I have seen "the light go on" in a number of "apprentice"
> programmers who understand "C" [or at least belive they do] but are confused
> by machine language. Seeing the register set as a "struct", seeing
> instruction dispatch as a "switch", etc often provides a good mental link.

Of course the opposite happend to me. I had no problems understanding
pointers in C (They seem entirely natural) becuase I'd already learnt
PDP11 machine language (not even assmebly language, machine language,
toggled in on the panel switches).

-tony
Received on Tue Jun 22 2004 - 18:03:26 BST