They do not need compiler support to convert from other processor code to their processor code.. I agree with this.
However, any new aggressive architecture requires a lot of compiler work. To make your new applications fly, you would want to compile them using the native processors compilers. BTW, It is probably a VLIWish processor - my guess;-)
I think it means (from the abstract) that they are going to provide compatability to other processors by converting their instructions to their host processor. So, the story unfolds. Obviously, they have a super fast processor and will provide for running Intel etc instructions on their processors.
The patent itself is more concerned with making sure that the conversion process occurs without any exceptions taking place.. or actually holding the processor state and waiting for a sequence of instructions to make sure no exception etc happens and then excuting it on the host processor.
They obviously also need strong compiler support for such a processor which explains all the software and compiler people they have been recruiting.
Fun, fun, fun.. who says Computer architecture is dead !
CNN just ran an article which summarizes the Internet/Computer usage situation in India - check it out at http://cnn.com/TECH/comp uting/9909/21/india.poor.ap/index.html
Some stats: India has 3.2 million personal computers and only 400,000 Indians have access to the Internet. However, the internet has become popular only 3 years ago.
I think this is the first step in the US educational system recognizing that a fundamental change has to take place if more computer/IT professionals are to be produced. However, the issue is not about teaching young kids how to program, but instead about teaching them how to solve problems. Basic math skills and analytical thinking needs to be emphasized and this will lead to better programming skills.
However, let me answer a different question - people always ask me, why is it that so many Indians are good at programming (or atleast employed as such). The reasons are often misunderstood; the Indian high school system lays stress on basic math and analytical skills. Students who take high school math have to do calculus, problem solving and in general, much more competitive math than in the US. Broadly speaking most graduating high school students in India know math equivalent to 1st year math majors in the US.
This means that the math taught in college (in engineering and science courses) is appropriately advanced. Again, engg schools in India (and I have been told by my German friends, in most of Europe) are teaching students to *think*; given a problem, to develop a methodology of solving it and problems in the same genre.
Whereas in US engg courses, students are concerned with passing the course and teaching is centered around graduating students so that they can get a job. It is an industry oriented education system. I was a teaching assitant for a digital design class and was constantly being asked whether the material being discussed would be on the "quiz"... my urgings of "no, but this is fundamental stuff that you need to know" fell on deaf ears.
In conclusion, I think the problem is more deep rooted; US colleges are producing engineers who can do one type of job well but find it difficult to re-train themselves for new jobs when they come along. Hence, initiatives such as this and more fundamental grass root changes in high school and engg. curriculums are required.
Some guy did this to my whole web site - he just ripped the whole site along with the links and everything and then changed the names - thats it ! This was at a time my web site was getting about 25 hits a day (which is a lot for a personal home page).
Here is my original web site and the copy that he made. I have changed my site a lot since then (he did this a year ago). He refuses to respond to any emails I send him.
Its been on the headlines of CNN all morning cnn.com It seems the bug has been reopened after Hotmail "fixed" it.
I think there is a bigger issue we must consider here - namely, is there a system hackers can't crack if they turn against it - the only reason Linux sites have not been attacked so far is because alot of the hackers are on the side of the "good" forces - namely unix in general and want to see dark side to die.
But we may start seeing alot of unix based sites being cracked when these people turn their attention to them.
This whole mess has nothing to do with Microsoft - its hotmail running on BSD unix !!! Just another company with 40 million users.....
Slashdot Mirror
However, any new aggressive architecture requires a lot of compiler work. To make your new applications fly, you would want to compile them using the native processors compilers. BTW, It is probably a VLIWish processor - my guess ;-)
The patent itself is more concerned with making sure that the conversion process occurs without any exceptions taking place .. or actually holding the processor state and waiting for a sequence of instructions to make sure no exception etc happens and then excuting it on the host processor.
They obviously also need strong compiler support for such a processor which explains all the software and compiler people they have been recruiting.
Fun, fun, fun .. who says Computer architecture is dead !
Sumit
http://cnn.com/TECH/comp uting/9909/21/india.poor.ap/index.html
Some stats:
India has 3.2 million personal computers and only 400,000 Indians have access to the Internet. However, the internet has become popular only 3 years ago.
However, let me answer a different question - people always ask me, why is it that so many Indians are good at programming (or atleast employed as such). The reasons are often misunderstood; the Indian high school system lays stress on basic math and analytical skills. Students who take high school math have to do calculus, problem solving and in general, much more competitive math than in the US. Broadly speaking most graduating high school students in India know math equivalent to 1st year math majors in the US.
This means that the math taught in college (in engineering and science courses) is appropriately advanced. Again, engg schools in India (and I have been told by my German friends, in most of Europe) are teaching students to *think*; given a problem, to develop a methodology of solving it and problems in the same genre.
Whereas in US engg courses, students are concerned with passing the course and teaching is centered around graduating students so that they can get a job. It is an industry oriented education system. I was a teaching assitant for a digital design class and was constantly being asked whether the material being discussed would be on the "quiz" ... my urgings of "no, but this is fundamental stuff that you need to know" fell on deaf ears.
In conclusion, I think the problem is more deep rooted; US colleges are producing engineers who can do one type of job well but find it difficult to re-train themselves for new jobs when they come along. Hence, initiatives such as this and more fundamental grass root changes in high school and engg. curriculums are required.
Here is my original web site and the copy that he made. I have changed my site a lot since then (he did this a year ago). He refuses to respond to any emails I send him.
I think there is a bigger issue we must consider here - namely, is there a system hackers can't crack if they turn against it - the only reason Linux sites have not been attacked so far is because alot of the hackers are on the side of the "good" forces - namely unix in general and want to see dark side to die.
But we may start seeing alot of unix based sites being cracked when these people turn their attention to them.
This whole mess has nothing to do with Microsoft - its hotmail running on BSD unix !!! Just another company with 40 million users .....
Read the rabbit story - it tells all about grad school - I know - I am in CS grad school right now. http://www.ics.uci.edu/~gajski/rabbitJoke.html