Book Image

Computer Architecture with Python and ARM

By : Alan Clements
Book Image

Computer Architecture with Python and ARM

By: Alan Clements

Overview of this book

This comprehensive guide offers a unique and immersive learning experience by combining Python programming with ARM architecture. Starting with an introduction to computer architecture and the flow of data within a computer system, you’ll progress to building your own interpreter using Python. You’ll see how this foundation enables the simulation of computer operations and learn ways to enhance a simulator by adding new instructions and displaying improved results. As you advance, you’ll explore the TC1 Assembler and Simulator Program to gain insights into instruction analysis and explore practical examples of simulators. This will help you build essential skills in understanding complex computer instructions, strengthening your grasp of computer architecture. Moreover, you’ll be introduced to the Raspberry Pi operating system, preparing you to delve into the detailed language of the ARM computer. This includes exploring the ARM instruction set architecture, data-processing instructions, subroutines, and the stack. With clear explanations, practical examples, and coding exercises, this resource will enable you to design and construct your own computer simulator, simulate assembly language programs, and leverage the Raspberry Pi for ARM programming.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
1
Part 1: Using Python to Simulate a Computer
Free Chapter
2
Chapter 1: From Finite State Machines to Computers
10
Part 2: Using Raspberry Pi to Study a Real Computer Architecture

Running an ARM program

Here, we’ve put together all the information you need to run and debug a program on Raspberry Pi. We’re going to take the string copying example from Chapter 11 and go through it in more detail to provide a template for program development. This program takes an ASCII string and reverses it. In this case, the string is "Hello!!!". We have made it eight characters long so that it fits into two consecutive words (8 * 8 bits = 64 bits = 2 words).

We have located the source string, string1, in the body of the program, in the .text section, because it is only read from and never written to.

The destination, str2, that will receive the reversed string is in read/write memory in the .data section. Consequently, we have to use the technique of indirect pointers – that is, the .text portion has a pointer at adr_str2 that contains the address of the actual string, str2.

The program contains several labels that are not accessed by...