Compiler Design Issues for Embedded Processors

  • Authors:
  • Rainer Leupers

  • Affiliations:
  • -

  • Venue:
  • IEEE Design & Test
  • Year:
  • 2002

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Abstract

Compilers translate high-level programming languages such as C and C++ into assembly code for a target processor. Used for decades to program desktop operating systems and applications, compilers are among themost wide-spread software tools. For processor-based embedded systems, however, the use of compilers is less common. Instead, designers still use assembly language to program any embedded applications. Anyone who has programmed a processor inassembly knows the resulting problems: a huge programming effort and, compared with C orC++, far less code portability, maintainability, and dependability. So, why is assembly programming still common in embedded-system design? The reason lies in embedded systems' high-efficiency requirements. Processor-based embedded systems frequently