Resources for Assignment #2

1.5 MIPS Architecture (Power Point)

This PowerPoint is for general information only. Focus on the following exercises that I provide to get ready to do assignment #2.  

I will throw in some  short video ("microPointer") at an appropriate time

____________________________

1.6 Getting started with MARS(MIPS Simulator)

video (37 seconds) microPointer#1: How to download MARS

MARS Simulator (Missouri State University):

http://courses.missouristate.edu/KenVollmar/MARS/download.htm 

_________________________________________

Common Q&A

Q0.  I am having difficulty opening MARS. I have all of mars and java installed and restarted my computer but Mars is still not opening for me. If you can let me know what I could've missed in the downloading process that would be greatly appreciated. 

A0.  Follow the installation instructions closely and compare notes with your classmates.  

_______________________________________________

Q1. I can't open MARS, any suggestion?

A1. User Note from Kevin

A2.1 Notes from Mellena :"For trouble shooting I had to turn off my firewalls, install java (jdk-14.0.1) and restart my computer and it worked.  "

_______________________________________________

video (2:40) microPointer-EX01 : Experiment with addi instruction

video (2:57) microPointer-FirstLookAtMARS (kick the tire) 

video (5:26) microPointer-runEX01 : How to load & run EX01 using MARS Simulation 

1.6.1 Exercise EX01: addi 

_______________________________________________

Common Q&A (FYI: Common Q&A are questions asked by the previous classes)

Q1

I went to perform EX01, but the Execute page in MARS came up with two extra steps that did not show up in your lecture video. Is this normal/expected? 

A1.

What happened is in this version of MARS, it decided to interpret our instruction "addi" into 3  "Basic" instructions: lui, ori, add. They are doing the same thing.

FYI: EX02 shows you how "lui" instruction works, EX06 shows how "ori" instruction works. Once you learn these instructions and come back to review, it will make sense.

_________________________________________________________

Read & Run EX02 to EX06 using MARS

1.6.2 Exercise EX02: lui  

1.6.3 Exercise EX03: sw 

video (5:39) microPointer-EX03:sw  

1.6.4 Exercise EX04: andi 

video (4:13) microPointer-EX04: andi 

1.6.5 Exercise EX05: and 

1.6.6 Exercise EX06: ori 

________________________________________

Common Q&A

Q1.6: Do we need to submit homework assignments for EX02,EX03,EX04,EX05,EX06?

A1.6: No. They are for practice only: You read the code, make sure you understand it; then you run MARS  Simulation to confirm your understanding. 

make sure it makes sense to you, if not, consult with your team of 2,

if your team is stuck, see me after class or email me & I will address to your team.

__________________________________________

Assignment #2: Assembly Programming Exercise(link)

post: 8/25  due 9/5 11:59pm

Late:9/6 12:01 am –9/7 11:59 pm

Game Over: after 9/7 11:59 pm: 0 points

Solution / Assignment #2(link/g)  (will post after due date)

(Note 1: Make sure you go over "Resources for Assignment #2" above before working on this assignment)

(Note 2: Note: For assignment #2, you are NOT required to run MARS simulation, just enter by hand what you think is the correct answer.)

____________________________________

Common Q&A

Q0. how would we write the decimal / hexadecimal form in MIPS? 

A0. Example

addi  $s2,$zero,15    # decimal 15

addi $s2,$zero,0x0f   # hexadecimal : 0x0f = decimal 15

Q1. 

I just noticed that google doc autocorrect the "andi" and "ori" functions to "and" & "or" when I exited and reopened the document, even though I initially typed them as "andi" and "ori". Is there any way I can get the points I missed for the improper functions back? 

 A1. 

No. Not after I post the solutions. You need to double check the results before you submit the report. I can only grade the submitted report.

 ____________________________________

Q2.

What is the difference between "and" and "andi"?

A2.

Example:

and $s3, $s1, $s2  # $s2 is a register

andi $s1, $s1, 0x0f0f # 0x0f0f is a number

So, when the second operand is a register, you use and.

When the second operand is a number, you use andi

____________________________________

Q3.

Attached is my preliminary report, please give me feedback so that I can improve my scores.

A3.

I treat each assignment like a test. As an instructor, I won't tell you if your answer is correct or guide you to a correct answer during the test.

So compare notes among your team, give it your best shot & submit the assignment individually.

I will post solutions & provide feedback after the due date.