MIPSpro(TM) N32 ABI Handbook
                        Document Number 007-2816-002

                             Table Of Contents

            This guide contains the following chapters/sections.
          ALL FILES INCLUDED HERE ARE COMPRESSED PostScript FILES
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   * Title Page, (2 pages)
   * Table of Contents, (2 pages)
   * List of Figures, (2 pages)
   * List of Tables, (2 pages)

  1. Chapter 1 "N32 ABI Overview," (4 pages)
          This chapter discusses
             + "What is N32?,"
               which describes the n32 ABI and compares it with the other
               MIPS ABIs.
             + "Why We Need a New ABI,"
               which lists the reasons why we need a new ABI.
             + "N32 Migration Requirements,"
               which describes what is required of both SGI and its
               customers to use the n32 ABI.

  2. Chapter 2, "Calling Convention Implementations," (10 pages)
          This chapter describes the differences between o32, n32, and n64
          ABIs with respect to calling convention implementations.
          Specifically, this chapter describes:
             + "Native 64-Bit (N64) and N32 Subprogram Interface for MIPS
               Architectures"
               covers the 64-bit subprogram interface. This interface is
               also used in the n32 ABI.
             + "Implementation Differences"
               identifies differences in the 32-bit and 64-bit
               implementations C programming language and explains why it's
               easier to port to n32 rather than to 64 bits.
             + "ABI Attribute Summary"
               lists the important attributes for the o32 and n32/64-bit ABI
               implementations.

  3. Chapter 3, "N32 Compatibility, Porting, and Assembly Language
     Programming Issues," (14 pages)
          This chapter explains the levels of compatibility between o32,
          n32, and 64-bit programs. It also describes the porting procedure
          to follow and the changes to make when porting your application
          from o32 to n32.
             Specifically, this chapter discusses the following topics:
             + "Compatibility,"
               which describes compatibility between o32, n32, and 64-bit
               programs.
             + "N32 Porting Guidelines,"
               which explains guidelines for porting high-level languages.
             + "Assembly Language Programming Guidelines,"
               which provides guidelines for writing portable assembly
               language code.

  4. Chapter 4, "N32 Examples and Case Studies," (14 pages)
          This chapter provides examples and case studies of programs that
          have been converted from o32 to n32. Each step in the conversion
          is presented and examined in detail. Examples include:
             + "An Example Application"
             + "Building and Running the o32 Application"
             + "Porting Issues"
             + "Building and Running the N32 Application"
             + "Building Multiple Versions of the Application"

   * Index, (4 pages)

   * Tech Pubs Wants To Hear From You, (1 page)

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