Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions:


Questions related to coverage

Will the workshop focus exclusively on machine descriptions?

No, the workshop will have a balanced coverage, not restricted to machine descriptions in particular. We will have additional topics such as building cross compilers and parallelization.

Will there be some hands-on session in the workshop?

Hands on experiments are the main activities in the workshop. We will have about 15 Teaching Assistants who would have done all the assignments. So each one of the participants will be attended to personally.


Questions related to background required for attending the workshop

What is the prerequisite for participation? In other words, is any prior knowledge of GCC internals required to attend the workshop?

Prior knowledge of GCC internals is not required. However, one needs to be very clear and comfortable with the design of a compiler. Having done a UG course on compilers should be enough.

In the registration form (Programming Experience), Assembly language has been listed as a specific skill. Do we need to know the instruction set of any machine in particular?

We expect you to know the instruction set architecture as supported by the SPIM simulator sufficient for writing assembly programs. You should have also used the simulator for executing assembly programs. You need not know other details of MIPS architecture or the internal details of the simulator. Useful starting points could be the SPIM home page and a guide to the SPIM simulator.

Can you give any specific suggestions for reading material or exercises for building the background required for understanding the material covered in the workshop?

We have identified some homework excerises to be done before the participants arrive for the workshop.


Questions related to registration, payment of fees, selection etc.

When should I send the DD after registration?

Upon successful registration, an email will be sent at your specified email address, with your Registration id and Password. You should then login to the workshop website using your Email address and Password (sent via email) and this will confirm your "candidacy" for participation. The first list of selected candidates will be published by June 1, 2010 and a separate "selection notification email" will be sent to the selected candidates only. Upon receiving this email, you can start sending your DDs, and your participation will be confirmed once we receive it. The second list of selected candidates will be published by June 15, 2010. For details refer to the workshop registration page.

I do not work in a private company. I work in a government research organisation. Which category should I select during registration?

Select "Industry".

I have been wait-listed. Do I send payment right now?

No.

I have been wait-listed. Will I be intimated if I am selected?

Yes.

When I registered, I did not ask for accommodation. Can I request for accommodation now?

Yes, you can. Please send a mail to us as soon as possible. Subject to availability, accommodation will be provided to you on payment of the difference Rs. 1000/-. This payment will have to be made through a Demand Draft in the name of "The Registrar, IIT Bombay (CEP Account)".

When I registered, I had requested for accommodation. Now I don't need it. Would Rs. 1000/- be refunded?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to refund the amount once it is deposited. If you have not sent your demand draft yet, it is possible to change your status and you can send a demand draft for the appropriate amount.

If I am provided with accommodation, for how long will it be available?

Accommodation will be available from evening of July 4, 2010 till morning of July 9, 2010.

How many candidates will be selected for the workshop?

We expect to be able to accomodate approximately 75 candidates. The restriction on the number comes mainly because of the feasibility of conducting meaningful laboratory sessions in terms of providing personal help.

Will I get a receipt for the registration fees?

Yes, you will get a receipt from IIT Bombay along with the certificate of exemption of income tax. The receipt can be collected during the workshop.


Questions related to actual conduct of the workshop

Am I required to bring a laptop for the workshop?

If you have a laptop, it is highly desirable that you bring your laptop. A limited number of laptops will be made available one each for a team of two participants, if neither participant has brought a laptop.

What should be the configuration of my laptop?

Ideally it should run a contemporary version of Linux. We strongly recommend Ubuntu 9.04 or 9.10. In case you are unable to load Linux on your laptop, we can provide you network access to login on our server. Please visit this link for details about laptop setup.

On July 8, 2010, by what time will the workshop end?

On July 8, the workshop might get over by 5:30 p.m.

What are the workshop timings on July 5, 6, 7, and 8?

We begin at 9:30 every day. Please visit this link for a detailed workshop schedule.The evenings are free but participants can continue to work on their laboratory exercises. Teaching Assistants will be available from 9:30 a.m. till 10:00 p.m.