How can I execute MIPS assembly programs on an x86 linux?

StackOverflow https://stackoverflow.com/questions/464313

Question

Are there any command line interpreters or any other set of programs around for x86 linux in order to run MIPS assembly programs?

I'd like to be able to write simple MIPS assembly programs and run them from the console on my local machine.

I know of SPIM but it requires X Windows and I'm curious if there are better options out there.

Edit: Turns out it doesn't require X Windows. I still have issues with SPIM. Not the best in my humble opinion. Qemu / Cross compiled toolchain is a little more work but I have less quirks.

Was it helpful?

Solution

You will need either a cross compilation toolchain, or to build your own cross binutils. For a prebuilt toolchain, you can visit code sourcery. If you just want to compile assembly, then all you need is binutils. There are some guidelines on the Linux Mips wiki

For the emulation part, QEmu would be my choice.

OTHER TIPS

Incidentally, Spim does not require X Windows. It has a console interface as well. Run either spim or xspim.

MARS made my assembly programming for MIPS architecture so much easier. If you would like a GUI/IDE, I would recommend MARS for sure.

I was in the same situation yesterday. I also didn't like SPIM, so this is what I did:

  • installed gxemul and gxemul-doc (those are the package names on debian)
  • installed netbsd on an emulated MIPS machine following the detailed instructions in the documentation
  • since netbsd already includes the standard gcc toolchain and vi, you're good to go.

    Setting up networking is pretty easy and well documented, too. This has the advantage of not needing to fiddle with cross compilation.

    • You could use gxemul, which emulates a MIPS machine (among others, including Dreamcast), and is able to run many Operating systems (included linux, netbsd and some more).

    gxemul-wikipedia

    gxemul-home page

    QEmu has a good MIPS emulator. Combine that with a cross-compiled GCC/binutils (technically you only need binutils to get GAS, the GNU assembler) and you're good to go.

    Maybe you can take a look at these emulators? I'm not an expert but the list seems good.

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