CS224 -- Spring 2012
Project #1
Assembly Language Programming
Overview
Following the model of design projects from industry and government, CS224 Project #1 has 4 stages:
1. Preparation stage: In this stage, groups are formed, background research and preparatory learning is done, tools and skills and resources are obtained. In preparation for Project #1, each student should do the following:
Choose and make contact with their project partner, and exchange contact addresses (email, phone, dorm address, etc) and class schedules. Make preparations for meeting and communicating together regularly during the project.
Read and become familiar with the various documents posted about MIPS and MARS on the MIPS/SPIM/MARS Resources page.
Download and install the latest version of MARS software, and practice using the simulator to assemble and run MIPS programs. Using the user guide and other MARS documentation, become familiar with MARS's various features and operating modes
2. Design stage: In this stage, the specifications are clarified and understood , the preliminary design is stated (often in both natural and formal expression languages), and it is reviewed by peers. The feedback from the review process is incorporated into the design, making it ready to move into implementation. The Group Contact Report, Prelimary Design Report, and Design Review and Peer Grading Reports are all parts of this stage. In our Project #1, this stage will last until sometime after March 15th, until your group has made the changes in your design that arose from the design review process.
3. Implementation stage: In this stage, the improved design is translated from the higher-level, more abstract design language into the implementation language. All details necessary to implement are included. Groups should do an implementation review (possibly reviewing each others' MIPS code, before moving into the final stage. The conversion of design code into MIPS assembly language and the Complete Project Report are parts of this stage. In this Project #1, this stage will last sometime after March 21st, when your group has made all the pre-testing changes in the assembly language code routines.
4. Test/debugging and delivery stage: In this stage, the project is tested extensively, using an enviroment as close as possible to the final user environment. Errors are found and fixed, and it becomes ready for final delivery. Despite best efforts to be careful and accurate in earlier stages, two kinds of errors may be found in this phase: design errors, and implementation errors. When all errors that can be found have been corrected, the project is delivered to the end user. For the MIPS code you developed in the second stage of this project, the MARS simulator will be used for the test and debug environment. In our Project #1, this stage will last until March 26th and 27th when the final MIPS code is shown in a demo for grade , and the project is over.