The Mano Assembler and Simulator

1. Introduction / Motivation

It is a fact that, especially when dealing with computers, the best way to learn is through trial and error.  Unfortunately, it is difficult to try and err when learning about a fictitious processor, such as the one described in M. Mano's Computer System Architecture, 3rd ed.  It is in this interest that I have constructed an assembler and simulator for students at R.I.T. and other universities.  The assembler and simulator are programmed in C++, and can be compiled on both Sun and Intel platforms.

2. The Mano Assembler

This is an assembler for the fictitious Mano Machine that assembles mano source files (*.asm) into Mano Simulator module files (*.m).  The distribution package can be downloaded in both tar format, and zip format.  The same package compiles under both Sun and Intel machines.  The reference manual is online, and included with the distribution.

3. The Mano Simulator

A simulator for the fictitious Mano Machine that accepts Mano Simulator module files (*.m), and provides step-by-step simulation down to the clock-tick level.  The simulator can also assemble code on the fly using the same engine as the Mano Assembler, without the need for the Mano Assembler package.  The distribution package can be downloaded in both tar format, and zip format.  The same package compiles under both Sun and Intel machines.  The reference manual is online, and included with the distribution.

4. License

Copyright (c) 2007, Mark Roth

All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without 
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

    * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, 
      this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
    * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright 
      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the 
      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
    * Neither the name of the Rochester Institute of Technology nor the names 
      of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived 
      from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
"AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR
CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

5. Final Notes

These programs were created by Mark Roth, a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY.  If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or bug reports, please do not hesitate to contact me.  My contact information is as follows:
 
        Mark Roth
        Rochester Institute of Technology
        E-mail: markroth8@yahoo.com