Binary Translation: Static, Dynamic, Retargetable?

The porting of software to newer and faster machines using static binary translation techniques has proved successful to a large extent. Current binary translators are static in nature and require a runtime environment to successfully support the execution of the translated programs on the new machine. On the other hand, dynamic binary translation has not been considered as an alternative to static translation - we argue that these translators can achieve at least the same performance as static translators but will require a simpler runtime environment. This paper presents techniques used to migrate legacy software running on register-based machines of the last 10 to 15 years to modern RISC machines. We have developed a second-generation disassembler to aid in the construction of a retargetable binary translation front-end. Retargetability of binary translators is an issue that has not been addressed in present translators.