CS274: Computer Architecture - Data Structures

Activity Goals

The goals of this activity are:
  1. To model and manipulate strings using MIPS
  2. To explain the use of the null terminator when using strings
  3. To model and manipulate arrays using MIPS
  4. To model and manipulate linked lists using MIPS

The Activity

Directions

Consider the activity models and answer the questions provided. First reflect on these questions on your own briefly, before discussing and comparing your thoughts with your group. Appoint one member of your group to discuss your findings with the class, and the rest of the group should help that member prepare their response. Answer each question individually from the activity, and compare with your group to prepare for our whole-class discussion. After class, think about the questions in the reflective prompt and respond to those individually in your notebook. Report out on areas of disagreement or items for which you and your group identified alternative approaches. Write down and report out questions you encountered along the way for group discussion.

Model 1: MIPS Strings

Questions

  1. What is the difference between the lb instruction and the lw instruction?
  2. Modify this program to convert each character of a String to uppercase, and then to lowercase.

Model 2: MIPS Arrays

Questions

  1. Now that you know what an array is, what is a string?
  2. What is the difference between a string and an array, in terms of its size and how it is terminated?
  3. Why was it necessary to multiply i by 4 before adding it to the base address of the array?

Model 3: Linked Lists in MIPS

Questions

  1. In your own words, what is a linked list?
  2. Modify this program by adding and calling a function to find and return the address of the node with the value 2.

Submission

I encourage you to submit your answers to the questions (and ask your own questions!) using the Class Activity Questions discussion board. You may also respond to questions or comments made by others, or ask follow-up questions there. Answer any reflective prompt questions in the Reflective Journal section of your OneNote Classroom personal section. You can find the link to the class notebook on the syllabus.