A microprogramming animation

Author

Robbins, Steven ; Robbins, Kay A.

Author_Institution

Div. of Math. & Comput. Sci., Texas Univ., San Antonio, TX, USA

Volume

41

Issue

4

fYear

1998

fDate

11/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

293

Lastpage

300

Abstract

This paper describes a successful project using computer animation to teach the concepts of microprogramming to lower division computer science majors. The students write a simulator for the Mic-1 horizontal microcontroller described in the book Structured Computer Organization by Tanenbaum. The simulation is enhanced by the use of a graphical representation of the machine to animate the simulation. This creative use of computer animation enables the students to see the results of their simulation without having to write an extensive user interface. They can concentrate on implementing the instruction cycle, an activity that directly enhances their understanding of microprogramming and the conventional machine level. The XTango animation package is used, making the animation facility portable to any Unix system with an X display. The user interface and additional instructional material are available via the web

Keywords

computer aided instruction; computer animation; computer science education; microprogramming; software packages; CAI; Unix system; X display; XTango animation package; computer animation; computer science students; conventional machine level; education; instruction cycle; instructional material; microprogramming animation; user interface; Animation; Books; Computational modeling; Computer science; Computer simulation; Displays; Microcontrollers; Microprogramming; Packaging machines; User interfaces;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Education, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9359

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/13.728264

Filename

728264