various processor architectures.

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:57 pm

I have been trying to find a guide to the various processor architectures such as x86, arm, mips, pps, etc. discribing the pros and cons, generel differenses and such.
Sadly i havent had much luck with it, so i was thinking if anyone here would know of any such recourses.

I know its not the first time i have been posting about this subject, but i think its about time i get an indept understanding of it.

Brynet-Inc · Post by **Brynet-Inc** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:01 pm

Each are uniquely different architectures, I don't think an intelligent comparison of them all even exists.

Why don't you try obtaining official documentation on each, decide which one you like the most... and go from there?

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:06 pm

thats how i started out, but when trying to sell a product you rarely make a big effort of telling about the stuff that other architectures do better and you deffinently dont tell which one actually are better fitted for your purpose.

JamesM · Post by **JamesM** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:30 am

And what is your purpose? We here may be able to help you decide / gain some info

Combuster · Post by **Combuster** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:19 am

Well, there are two things to consider:

The processor architecture - you have CISC and RISC systems. RISC systems are on average faster than CISC systems, but are more difficult to program in raw assembly. Of course, difficulty is a subjective term. The AVR instruction set is not difficult at all while PA is one big mess.
You might want to consider address size as part of the equation - you have everything from 8-bit to 64-bit systems (I wouldn't be amazed if it were even 128-bit already)

Second, the system architecture, i.e. everything around the processor. These define the system more than the CPU - you can just recompile your program to a different processor, but the hardware present dictates what is actually possible.

CISC architectures: x86, 68k, 6502, etc
RISC architectures: AVR, ARM, MIPS, SuperH, HPPA, etc

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:37 am

I dont think there can be any doubt, atleast now, that it is risc im most interested in, but still there are alot of different cpus "system architectures".

I am really only interested in a workhorse, fx. no graphics (that cant be spelled right), keyboard, mouse, etc. will be needed.

I will need a cpu of course, and memory and an interface, preferably a lan port. Some storage will allso be needed.

But it is the cpu which i find interesting as it will be doing most of the work.

JamesM · Post by **JamesM** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:47 pm

Go for ARM then.

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:20 pm

thats more or less the respons i expected, but why?

JamesM · Post by **JamesM** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:32 pm

1. They are cheap and readily available, almost every mobile device uses one.
2. It has a linux port, so development is a little easier.
3. Loads of other people are using it (including pcmattman) so they can help you, whereas with PPC et al. you're a little on your own.
4. The instruction set is very nice.

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:49 pm

JamesM wrote:1. They are cheap and readily available, almost every mobile device uses one.

They may be cheap, but i havent really been able to find anything remotely usefull anywhere, enless i want to bye bundles of 1000. (of course i cant affort that

)

JamesM wrote:2. It has a linux port, so development is a little easier.

I not quite sure what a linux port is.

JamesM wrote:3. Loads of other people are using it (including pcmattman) so they can help you, whereas with PPC et al. you're a little on your own.

Yes, we have been talking about this in an earlier threath (never can remember how to spell that), and of course it is allways nice to know where help is, but i dont think any of them is interested in teaching me from scratch how things work and i havent been able to find much on the net, not anything usefull that is.

JamesM wrote:4. The instruction set is very nice.

On that we can agree (i think)

Brynet-Inc · Post by **Brynet-Inc** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:18 pm

Zacariaz wrote:
JamesM wrote:2. It has a linux port, so development is a little easier.
I not quite sure what a linux port is.

You don't know what "port" means or "Linux" ?

Porting software means.. adapting your code for a new operating system/architecture.

Thus he means, There is a native port of Linux to ARM.. NetBSD/OpenBSD as well

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:23 pm

of course, and i did know that, but i was thinking about someting like parallel port and that just didnt make sence

Thats what happens when not comunicating in your native langage. Sometimes it allso happen in my native language, but mostly when im drunk

Solar · Post by **Solar** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:58 am

Zacariaz wrote:Thats what happens when not comunicating in your native langage. Sometimes it allso happen in my native language, but mostly when im drunk

When I'm drunk, I usually can't communicate at all.

As for the "bundle of 1000", that's life for you. The way you can buy x86 CPUs single-piece is somewhat special, virtually any other CPU is build in bundles to companies building appliances with them (including the PPC, which caused the Amiga market no little headache as 1000 CPUs is quite a bit there).

Combuster · Post by **Combuster** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:01 am

enless i want to bye bundles of 1000

I can buy Atmels a piece at the local electronics store
(edit: they also have Z80s)