What This Document Is
This document is a lab exercise guide for Foothill College’s Computer Architecture & Organization (CS 10) course. It serves as an introduction to the MARS (MIPS Assembler and Runtime Simulator) environment and the MIPS assembly language. The lab focuses on setting up the necessary software – Java and MARS – to begin writing and running simple MIPS programs.
Why This Document Matters
This lab is crucial for students new to assembly language programming. It provides the foundational skills needed to understand how software interacts with computer hardware at a low level. Students taking CS 10, particularly those interested in computer systems, embedded systems, or compiler design, will find this lab essential. It’s typically used at the very beginning of the course to establish a working development environment before diving into more complex concepts.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is a setup and introductory guide. It does *not* teach MIPS assembly language itself. It assumes no prior knowledge of assembly, but it won’t cover the syntax, instructions, or programming techniques of MIPS. Users will still need to learn the MIPS instruction set and assembly programming concepts separately. It also focuses solely on the MARS simulator; knowledge gained may not directly translate to other assembly environments without adaptation.
What This Document Provides
This lab guide includes:
* System requirements (Mac, Windows, or Linux PC with Java).
* Links to download Java Standard Edition (version 9 or higher).
* A link to download the MARS simulator.
* Instructions for installing Java and running MARS on Windows and Mac operating systems.
* A screenshot of the MARS interface, highlighting key components like the Edit and Execute tabs, and the Registers display.
This preview does *not* include detailed explanations of MIPS assembly language, example programs, or troubleshooting steps beyond the initial setup. It does not cover advanced MARS features or debugging techniques.