Variable address length compiler and processor improved in address management

Abstract

The present invention discloses a program converting unit for generating a machine language instruction from a source program for a processor that manages an N-bit address while processing M-bit data, N being greater than M, and such a processor that runs the converted program. The program converting unit comprising: a parameter holding unit for holding a data width and a pointer width designated by a user; the data width representing the number of bits of data used in the source program while the pointer width representing the number of bits of an address; and a generating unit for generating an instruction to manage the data width when a variable operated by the instruction represents the data, and for generating an instruction to manage the pointer width when a variable operated by the instruction represents the address.

1 - 61 . (canceled) 
   
   
       62 . A processor for operating certain data in accordance with an instruction in a program, comprising:
 a first register unit;   a second register unit;   a sign-extending unit;   a zero-extending unit; and   an instruction decoding unit for decoding an instruction in the program to detect a first type instruction and a second type instruction, said first type instruction including an instruction to store data into said first register unit, said second type instruction including an instruction to store data into said second register unit, with said first type instruction and said second type instruction having different destination operands to designate whether to store data into said first register unit or said second register unit;   wherein said zero-extending unit zero-extends data when a first type instruction is detected and said sign-extending unit sign-extends data when a second type instruction is detected.   
   
   
       63 . The processor of  claim 62 , wherein said data is an immediate data included in the first type instruction and the second type instruction.