CodeSourcery has started shipping a new, more optimized version of its GNU-based toolchain for the MIPS architecture, it says. Sourcery G++ for MIPS now supports all MIPS cores, as well as “non-position independent code,” for a claimed performance boost under Linux.

CodeSourcery offers enhanced, commercially supported versions of the GNU tools. It's G++ product line includes toolchains for a variety of architectures, including ARM, Coldfire, fido, MIPS, PowerPC, Stellaris, and IA32.

G++ for MIPS includes GNU C/C++ compilers, a GNU assembler and linker, runtime libraries, and a source- and assembly-level debugger. There is also support for a Microprocessor Debug Interface (MDI) to connect to MIPS System Navigator Probes and the MIPSsim simulator. An Eclipse IDE is optional.

The MIPS version of G++ now covers all MIPS cores, the company says, with added support for the performance enhancements in the MIPS32 24K core, says the company, as well as the superscalar MIPS32 74K core (see diagram below).

MIPS32 74K function block diagram
(Click to enlarge)
CodeSourcery has gradually added to its support for the MIPS platform over the years, introducing a binary prelinker for MIPS in 2006, and adding support for Linux ELF binaries for MIPS in this year's “spring release” of G++. That release also added Windows binaries on x86, as well as a QEMU-based simulator for PowerPC.

Stated Jack Browne, VP of marketing, Processor Business Group, MIPS Technologies, “MIPS ultimately plans to integrate CodeSourcery technology into products that we sell and support.”

Availability

Sourcery G++ for MIPS is available now from the CodeSourcery website for both Linux and Windows hosts. It is offered for bare-iron and GNU/Linux development in Lite, Personal, and Professional editions. Pricing information was unavailable.

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