Binary translation

Binary translation is a technique used to change an executable program for one computer architecture and operating system into an executable program for a different computer architecture and operating system. Two binary translators are among the migration tools available for Alpha AXP computers: VEST translates OpenVMS VAX binary images to OpenVMS AXP images; mx translates ULTRIX MIPS images to DEC OSF/1 AXP images. In both cases, translated code usually runs on Alpha AXP computers as fast or faster than the original code runs on the original architecture. In contrast to other migration efforts in the industry, the VAX translator reproduces subtle CISC behavior on a RISC machine, and both open-ended translators provide good performance on dynamically modified programs. Alpha AXP binary translators are important migration tools hundreds of translated OpenVMS VAX and ULTRIX MIPS images currently run on Alpha AXP systems.