Special Feature: Microprogrammable Virtual Machines

The introduction of computers which have user alterable microprograms presents users with both an opportunity and a problem. To take full advantage of the opportunity to tailor the architecture of the computer to the application domain, the problem of microprogram development and testing must be solved. The technique outlined here provides a tool which furnishes the microprogrammer with a virtual machine which is microprogrammable. The function provided is similar to that provided by a simulator, but the technique is more efficient and allows multiple microprograms to be executed concurrently with regular programs on a single real machine.