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Since its commercialization in 1971, the microprocessor, a modern and integrated form of the central processing unit, has continuously broken records in terms of its integrated functions, computing power, low costs and energy saving status. Today, it is present in almost all electronic devices. Sound knowledge of its internal mechanisms and programming is essential for electronics and computer engineers to understand and master computer operations and advanced programming concepts. This book in five volumes focuses more particularly on the first two generations of microprocessors, those that handle 4- and 8- bit integers. Microprocessor 5 - the fifth and final volume of this series of books - first presents the hardware and software aspects of the development chain of a microprocessor-based digital system. Finally, to round up the series and offer a historical perspective, the architectures of the first microcomputers are detailed. A comprehensive approach is used, with examples drawn from current and past technologies that illustrate theoretical concepts, making them accessible.




Table of contents

Quotation vii

Preface ix

Introduction xiii

Part 1 1

Chapter 1. Development Chain 3

1.1. Layers of languages, stages of development and tools 3

1.1.1. Levels of languages 4

1.1.2. Development stages 6

1.1.3. Mixed-language programming 8

1.1.4. Compatibility and software interfaces 10

1.2. Fundamental software tools for development 13

1.2.1. Assembler 13

1.2.2. Linker 19

1.2.3. Loader/launcher 21

1.2.4. Disassembler 22

1.3. Assembly language 22

1.3.1. Software development methodology 25

1.3.2. Standardization of assembly language 25

1.3.3. Structure of a program 25

1.3.4. Macro-instructions 30

1.3.5. Addressing 32

1.4. Conclusion 32

Chapter 2. Debugging and Testing 33

2.1. Hardware support 33

2.1.1. Generic electronic boards 33

2.1.2. Programmers 36

2.2. Debugging 38

2.2.1. Evolution 39

2.2.2. Functionality 39

2.2.3. Hardware emulators 43

2.2.4. Software debugging 45

2.2.5. Hardware support and debugging interfaces 51

2.2.6. Remote debugging and virtualization 59

2.2.7. Summary 60

2.3. Testing 66

2.4. Conclusion 66

Part 2 69

Chapter 3. Changes in the Organization of the Earliest Microcomputers 71

3.1. Apple II 71

3.2. IBM PCs 75

3.2.1. The original PC 76

3.2.2. The XT 79

3.2.3. The AT 81

3.3. Chipset 87

3.3.1. Definition 88

3.4. Motherboard architectures 100

3.4.1. Form factors 100

3.4.2. Current motherboard architecture 103

3.5. Evolution of microcomputer firmware 104

3.5.1. Definition 104

3.5.2. Apple II 104

3.5.3. PC BIOS 105

3.5.4. Open firmware 109

3.6. Conclusion 109

Conclusion of Volume 5 111

Exercises 113

Acronyms 115

References 135

Index 143