Re: [OT] Learning MIPS ISA using GCC and Debian

[Jerry Stuckle <jerry@smartechhomes.com>]

I would say that is one of the worst ways to learn MIPS.  A good 
compiler will have numerous optimizations, and the resultant code may 
bear little resemblance to the original C.  Even if you disable all 
optimizations, programming style will differ between that generated by 
the C compiler and what you write directly in MIPS.

Better to learn the instruction set, registers, etc. without trying 
shortcuts.  You'll be much better off in the long run.

Amit Uttamchandani wrote:
> I am learning the MIPS ISA in class and I guess the best way to learn
> this is using real world examples. Thus, I was hoping I could write a
> program in C and compile it into MIPS assembly and learn the MIPS ISA
> that way.
>
> I am not too familiar with gcc but I have used it and I also know that
> objdump tool can be used to disassemble C programs. However, I am not
> sure how to cross-compile into MIPS.
>
> I apologize if this question is too obvious.
>
> Running Debian Testing.
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Amit