MARS

MARS (MIPS Assembler and Runtime Simulator) is a development tool that provides MIPS programmers with an intuitive environment for creating and testing software programs

It's not necessary to go through an installation operation because you can simply double-click the downloaded .jar to reach the main app window right away. On the other hand, you must have Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.

You can use this application in command-line mode or by running the JAR file in order to access GUI. The command-line provides the ability to assemble and execute a program from a command interpreter.

On the other hand, the graphical interface of the program allows you to enter your code and edit assembler files. It supports syntax highlighting, which makes it easier to spot and deal with multiple commands, variables and comments.

Although the IDE is clearly designed for programmers and MIPS developers, it includes features which can help less experienced users. The included documentation is extensive and includes lists of available instructions and directives that can be used for building programs.

The code editor can give you suggestions and an automatically complete text when entering a new instruction in the script. You can view and edit the registry values by using the right-side panel, which also provides access to the memory values.

As far as customization options are concerned, it's possible to change the font or colors used for highlighting the code. If you are used to a different interface, this feature can help you recreate the familiar environment, for example.

The program also provides you with a set of tools that can prove useful for certain projects. Thus, it allows you to simulate data cache performance, visualize the memory reference patterns, and count the number of executed instructions.

Whether you need to edit a MIPS program or to create a new instruction set, MARS can provide you with the right tools for the job.