Digital Equipment Corporation

Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Scott G Robinson

Richard Lee Sites

Mark A Herdeg

John S Yates, Jr

Richard T Witek

Ronald F Brender

Michael V Iles

James A Wooldridge

A computer system for executing a binary image conversion system which converts instructions from a instruction set of a first, non native computer system to a second, different, native computer system, includes an run-time system which in response to a non-native image of an application program written for a non-native instruction set provides an native instruction or a native instruction routine. The run-time system collects profile data in response to execution of the native instructions to determine execution characteristics of the non-native instruction. Thereafter, the non-native instructions and the profile statistics are fed to a binary translator operating in a background mode and which is responsive to the profile data generated by the run-time system to form a translated native image. The run-time system and the binary translator are under the control of a server process. The non-native image is executed in two different enviroments with first portion executed as an interpreted image and remaining portions as a translated image. The run-time system includes an interpreter which is capable of handling condition codes corresponding to the non-native architecute. A technique is also provided to jacket calls between the two execution enviroments and to support object based services. Preferred techniques are also provide to determine interprocedural translation units. Further, intermixed translation/optimization techniques are discussed.

System and method for achieving object method transparency in a multi-code execution environment

A computer system for executing a binary image conversion system which converts instructions from a instruction set of a first, non native computer system to a second, different native computer system, includes an run-time system which in response to a non-native image of an application program written for a non-native instruction set provides an native instruction or a native instruction routine. The run-time system collects profile data in response to execution of the native instructions to determine execution characteristics of the non-native instruction. Thereafter, the non-native instructions and the profile statistics are fed to a binary translator operating in a background mode and which is responsive to the profile data generated by the run-time system to form a translated native image. The run-time system and the binary translator are under the control of a server process. The non-native image is executed in two different environments with first portion executed as an interpreted image and remaining portions as a translated image. The run-time system includes an interpreter which is capable of handling condition codes corresponding to the non-native architecture. A technique is also provided to jacket calls between the two execution environments and to support object based services. Preferred techniques are also provided to determine interprocedural translation units. Further, intermixed translation/optimization techniques are discussed.

Fast translation and execution of a computer program on a non-native

A system is provided for executing and debugging multiple codes in a multi-architecture environment that includes a real X architecture (domain) and a simulated (Y) architecture (domain). The multiple code executing and debugging system comprises an X computer system having a memory with stored X and Y code and having the X architecture embodied therein. A detector is provided to detect calls from executing code in either domain for cross-domain services including execution of cross-domain routines. A jacketing system jackets cross-domain routine calls to interface the calling conventions of the calling and the called routines.

System for executing and debugging multiple codes in a

A system or method is provided for translating a first program code to a second program code and for executing the second program code while preserving instruction state-atomicity of the first code. The first program code is executable on a computer having a first architecture adapted to a first instruction set and the second program code is executable on a computer having a memory and register state and a second architecture adapted to a second instruction set that is reduced relative to the first instruction set. A first computer translates the first code instructions to corresponding second code instructions in accordance with a pattern code that defines first code instructions in terms of second code instructions. The second code instructions for each first code instruction organized in a granular instruction sequence having in order at least two groups, a first group having a first subgroup including second code read instructions and a second subgroup including modify instructions and a second group having a third subgroup including state update instructions subject to exception, including any special write instruction required to implement the first code instruction being translated, and a fourth subgroup including state update instructions free of exception.

System and method for preserving instruction state-atomicity for

In a situation where a first computer program has been translated to obtain a second computer program, an error occurring during execution of the second computer program is reported in the context of the first program. This is done by aborting execution of the second computer program when the error occurs; determining a first address which is the address of the instruction in the second computer program that caused the error; determining from the first address a second address of an instruction in the first computer program from which the instruction in the second computer program was translated; and reporting that the error occurred, and using the second address to indicate that the error is associated with the instruction in the first computer program. Preferably the second address is used to reference traceback and symbolic name information generated when the first computer program is compiled from source code. The traceback information provides the line number of the source code from which the instruction in the first computer program was compiled, and the symbolic name information provides the name of a routine containing the instruction in the first program or a variable used by the instruction.

System for reporting errors of a translated program and using a boundry

A computer program of complex instruction set code (CISC) is translated to produce a program of reduced instruction set code (RISC). Each CISC instruction is translated into a sequence of RISC instructions. The sequence includes in order four groups of instructions. The first group includes instructions that get inputs and place them in temporary storage. The second group includes instructions that operate on the inputs and place results in temporary storage. The third group includes instructions that update memory or register state and are subject to possible exceptions. The fourth group includes instructions that update memory or register state and are free of possible exceptions. When execution of the RISC program is interrupted by an asynchronous event, the RISC instruction being executed at the time of the interrupt is recorded and allowed to complete. The recorded instruction is checked against a bit map to determine whether it is a boundary instruction for the instruction sequence being executed, and if it is, then asynchronous event processing is permitted. If not, then a program counter for the RISC code is aligned with the next backup boundary instruction if any instruction remaining to be executed is subject to a possible exception. If no instruction subject to a possible exception is found, the remaining instructions in the sequence are executed while moving the program counter to the next forward boundary instruction and thereafter permitting asynchronous event processing.

Growing community of inventors

Tyngsboro, MA, United States of America

Scott G Robinson