Skip to content

Getting Started

Interface Overview

ASMsim's interface is divided into several key areas:

Code Editor

  • Write your MIPS assembly code here
  • Error handling on entry
  • Loading on entry
  • Load File: Load external file into ASMsim
  • Step: Steps the program into next line, increments program counter
  • Run: Runs the program, shows the final result on all panels

Machine Code View

  • Translates users code into Binary Or Hexadecimal
  • Translates on-entry
  • Can switch between Binary or Hex on the fly

Register View

  • Shows current values of all 32 MIPS registers
  • Updates in real-time during simulation

Memory View

  • Displays memory contents in binary or hexadecimal
  • Organized in word-aligned addresses
  • Scrollable for viewing different memory regions

Basic Workflow

  1. Type or load your MIPS code in the editor
  2. See any syntax or other errors real-time at entry
  3. Use "Run" or "Step" to execute
  4. Monitor registers and memory changes
  5. Use "Reset" to start over

Understanding Output

Console Output (Machine Code View)

  • Shows any errors and line numbers if possible
  • Checks for registers and memory locations
  • Prints output from syscall instructions if anything in your code is problematic

Status Bar

  • Current Program Counter
  • Program Status
  • Operation Code and Function Code
  • $rs, $rt and $rd registers to use on next instruction

Next Steps

For detailed instruction usage, see the Usage Guide.
For installation instructions, refer to the Installation Guide.