3. Microprocessor architecture and software

Whatever a microprocessor is used for, there is a close dependency between its architecture and the software that accompanies it. Initially, the low processing capacity of microprocessors and the low capacity of memories led designers to use programming languages close to the architecture (assembly language), with the associated disadvantages of complexity, development cost and dependence on the microprocessor architecture (software not portable to other architectures). The use of high-level languages has rapidly become widespread, and two factors have contributed to this: technological progress (microprocessor processing power, memory capacity) and the desire to limit software development costs. As a microprocessor is designed to be programmed, it cannot be conceived without a software environment.

We distinguish :

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