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Extended Instruction Set Affecting Standard Instructions?

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 6:36 am
by Joseph Watson
I am currently using the PIC18F4620 in assembly language but this question would likely pertain to most of the PIC18F series chips. I see that the Extended Instruction Set can be enabled by an appropriate CONFIG setting. I understand that the Extended Instruction Set was included primarily for the benefit of high level language compilers such as C, but clearly if one wants to have subroutines that allocate storage in a software stack, it could also have benefits for someone working in assembly.

If one enables the Extended Instruction Set, does it alter how some of the Standard Instruction Set instructions behave? I don't yet see where the data sheet says that it changes the way any standard instructions behave but one would think if it does not affect the standard instructions, there would be no reason to ever disable the Extended Instruction Set. Does anyone have a good handle on this? Why is it optional?

Thanks,
Joe

Re: Extended Instruction Set Affecting Standard Instructions

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 11:12 am
by ric
I don't know the details, but it must have some effect, because the XC8 compiler falls over if you enable it.

Re: Extended Instruction Set Affecting Standard Instructions

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 12:00 pm
by vloki
There was a funny discussion in MCHP forum -> http://www.microchip.com/forums/FindPost/632427

Re: Extended Instruction Set Affecting Standard Instructions

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 12:17 pm
by Entropy
vloki wrote:There was a funny discussion in MCHP forum -> http://www.microchip.com/forums/FindPost/632427

how do you remember a 3 year old discussion forum post? :shock:

Re: Extended Instruction Set Affecting Standard Instructions

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 12:42 pm
by ric
It was an epic one. I remember it too. :)

Re: Extended Instruction Set Affecting Standard Instructions

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 4:00 pm
by Joseph Watson
Previously, I wrote:
I don't yet see where the data sheet says that it changes the way any standard instructions behave ....
:oops:

Please excuse the questionable eyesight and the lack of persistence in this old guy trying to read the data sheet. Your response was very helpful indeed.

Thanks again,
Joe

Re: Extended Instruction Set Affecting Standard Instructions

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 6:44 pm
by jtemples
You lose most or all of your access RAM when it's enabled. That's the downside.