Publication

Specifying the Semantics of Machine Instructions

Shane Sendall
1998
Conference Papers

Abstract

Computer architecture manuals describe the instruction set of the machine and the semantics of those instructions by a combination of natural language and ISP (Instruction Set Processor) descriptions. The syntax of the instructions in assembly is well define in the form of tables in the manual. However, the semantics is not so well specified and descriptions vary widely from one manual to another. When developing a retargetable binary translator, as much as possible needs to be specified in order to automatically generate code from specifications, hence separating machine-independent issues from the manual coding stage. The specification of the semantics of machine instructions is one such task, with the aim of generating suitable code for an intermediate representation that is to be used during the analysis stage. We describe the design process used to develop a semantic specification language, SSL, to integrate into a retargetable binary translation framework. The techniques described herein are suitable not just to binary translators but also to machine-code manipulation tools such as optimizing compilers, binary profilers, instrumentors, and binary debuggers.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/20a31779-b6b5-45bd-84cd-d170d0342826

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Graph Chat

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.

Shane Sendall
1998
Conference Papers

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/20a31779-b6b5-45bd-84cd-d170d0342826

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Instruction set architecture

In computer science, an instruction set architecture (ISA), also called computer architecture, is an abstract model of a computer. A device that executes instructions described by that ISA, such as a central processing unit (CPU), is called an implementation. In general, an ISA defines the supported instructions, data types, registers, the hardware support for managing main memory, fundamental features (such as the memory consistency, addressing modes, virtual memory), and the input/output model of a family of implementations of the ISA.

Binary translation

In computing, binary translation is a form of binary recompilation where sequences of instructions are translated from a source instruction set to the target instruction set. In some cases such as instruction set simulation, the target instruction set may be the same as the source instruction set, providing testing and debugging features such as instruction trace, conditional breakpoints and hot spot detection. The two main types are static and dynamic binary translation.

Complex instruction set computer

A complex instruction set computer (CISC ˈsɪsk) is a computer architecture in which single instructions can execute several low-level operations (such as a load from memory, an arithmetic operation, and a memory store) or are capable of multi-step operations or addressing modes within single instructions. The term was retroactively coined in contrast to reduced instruction set computer (RISC) and has therefore become something of an umbrella term for everything that is not RISC, where the typical differentiating characteristic is that most RISC designs use uniform instruction length for almost all instructions, and employ strictly separate load and store instructions.

Related publications (13)

Specifying the Semantics of Machine Instructions

Chat with Graph Search

Empirical Investigations of the Relationship Between Digital Rhythm Activities and Reading Skills

DUMPLING: Fine-grained Differential JavaScript Engine Fuzzing

Verified and Optimized Implementation of Orthologic Proof Search