Re: Ada subset for microcontrollers

["Tor Fredrik Aas" <tfaas@sensewave.com>]

> The Lego RCX uses a special byte code interpreter that was designed to
> work in the Lego environment.  The last time i checked, the Ada subset
> compiler for the RCX really generated NQC (Not Quite C, a C subset
> invented by David Baum to program the RCX).  NQC compiles down to the
> byte code used by the RCX.  Perhaps the latest version of the
> Ada-to-RCX compiler does the same thing.  However, since the firmware
> that runs inside the RCX is proprietary, and the license only allows me
> to copy it to my RCX, and the environment would undoubtedly be
> different if i used an SH-8...  I'm not sure i can get to where i want
> to go by that route.
>
> It would be an interesting project to create my own Ada-subset compiler
> for a microcontroller, but i just don't have the time.
>

Of cource you are right, I see this now that I actually read the
documentation....

But a solution might reveal itself if you try LegOS, it uses the gcc-h8 port
and thus you can use C to program it. I don't know if it's possible to make
GNAT or some other compiler stop at assembler stage and the hand over the
source to gas-h8.

This is just an idea on top of my head, I don't know much about the GNAT
backend or anything...

Good luck !

--
Tor Fredrik Aas