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Alpha system binary code compatibility |
markd833
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: 27.02.11 |
| Posted on February 27 2011 07:23 |
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Hi all,
I'm not familiar with the DEC Alpha systems - my knowledge only stretches to tinkering with a MicroVAX 3100-80 system running VMS 5.5, so hopefully one of you may be able to enlighten me.
I've got a custom software application (no source code available  ) that was originally hosted on an AlphaStation 600 (5/266) with a graphics card fitted. I know that the AlphaStation 600 CPU was a 21164 (EV5). Would this code run on a newer processor/system such as a DS10 (21264 EV6) or DS20E (21264A EV67) without recompilation?
The application also originally ran under a version of DEC UNIX and also used a GUI to interact with it. How compatible would the newer hardware be - assuming, of course, I could get my hands on real hardware?
Thanks for your time,
Regards,
Mark. |
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RE: Alpha system binary code compatibility |
malmberg
Moderator
Posts: 530
Joined: 15.04.08 |
| Posted on February 27 2011 09:38 |
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Unless the code is calling privileged code directly, generally it will work on newer versions of hardware and the OS. |
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RE: Alpha system binary code compatibility |
markd833
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: 27.02.11 |
| Posted on February 27 2011 10:25 |
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Thanks for the quick reply. As the application is essentially an image editor - so disk i/o and interaction with a GUI, I don't see why it should be hardware specific.
My main worry was the graphics. My DEC experience is limited to machines that you interacted with via a VT100 terminal. |
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RE: Alpha system binary code compatibility |
imiller
Administrator
Posts: 277
Location: UK
Joined: 24.02.06 |
| Posted on February 28 2011 06:11 |
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The later generations of Alpha CPU have additional instructions and faculties. Your application may not be optimal on a later CPU but it should run. |
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RE: Alpha system binary code compatibility |
abrsvc
Member
Posts: 108
Joined: 12.03.10 |
| Posted on March 01 2011 05:21 |
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Unless the application was compiled with a specific hardware type specified in the compilation line, the code is likely to be the "generic" alpha code which is the least common denominator code for all alpha architectures. Your code should run without any problems, it just won't take advantage of any of the newer optimizations.
Dan |
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