Recently, there's been a trend toward processors based on the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) design: Some example RISC processors are the MIPS, SPARC, PowerPC, ARM, and even Intel's 64-bit processor Itanium. This guidebook provides an accessible and all-encompassing compendium on RISC processors, introducing five RISC processors: MIPS, SPARC, PowerPC, ARM and Itanium. Initial chapters explain the differences between the CISC and RISC designs, and one clearly discusses the RISC design principles. Roughly the second half of the book is dedicated to MIPS assembly language programming, thereby enabling readers to grasp the concepts discussed in the first half. Includes MIPS simulator (SPIM) download instructions, so that readers can get hands-...