Re: Linux on Merced

Alan Cox (alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk)
Sun, 9 Nov 1997 01:42:25 +0000 (GMT)


> > Apparently the compiler is responsible for keeping track of a lot
> > of the CPU state information, and its a very complex process.
>
> As I understand VLIW architecture, the distinction between machine
> instructions (aka assembler) and microcode is somewhat blurred. If that
> is correct, then I would tend to believe his assessment.

Its purely semantics. One might argue for intel ia32 that gcc generates
assembler that the asesmbler encodes and the CPU then encodes into microcode.
If gcc writes "macrocode" for a VLIW assembler then the same steps occur
but the last one isnt at runtime