The Laboratory Companion to

Computer Organization
V. C. Hamacher, Z. G. Vranesic and S. G. Zaky


developed by M. R. Smith

using the Software Development Systems Version 6.5 68K and PowerPC simulator



The Laboratory Companion was designed to provide a practical laboratory component for a course based around McGraw-Hill's book "Computer Organization" by "V. C. Hamacher, Z. G. Vranesic and S. G. Zaky". The Companion is also directed towards the student, working alone, who wants to gain additional "hands-on" experience in the operation of microprocessors and computer systems.

A series of tasks and laboratory experiments have been developed for use in conjunction with the Software Development Systems Inc. (Illinois) Version 6.5 Starter Kits for the 68K and the PowerPC family of microprocessors. These kits are a complete toolset including assemblers, compilers, and graphics-based simulators. Mirror images of these starter kits are available at this local site by permission of Jim Challenger, president of SDS U.S.A.

The SDS starter (demo) kits, used in conjunction with Virtual Hardware (I/O) Devices designed by the author, make possible a full range of practical experiences, and problems, associated with developing software to control peripherals using both the PowerPC and 68K processors.

A computer engineer's working life will frequently require developing "software" to control a "hardware" interface using a high level language, with the compiler optimization turned full on. However, knowledge of low level assembly language programming remains a much needed skill since


How to use the "Laboratory Companion"

The Laboratory Companion is actually two companions interlinked.

Although you are welcome to browse through the "Short Laboratory Companion" directly on the net, that was not the manner the author intended that it be used. Instead, instructors should download the complete "Short Laboratory Companion" to their local site and install the Companion for use with their classes on their own "local" host.


There is more extensive information available in the completed portions of the Long Companion.


Last modified: June 27th 1996. by M. Smith.
Copyright -- M. R. Smith