Intel C++ Compiler for EFI Byte Code

The Intel C Compiler for EFI Byte Code creates EFI Byte Code (EBC) images that can be executed by systems implementing the EFI 1.10 (or later) specification. These systems include an EBC interpreter that loads and interprets the EBC image, allowing the image to be executed on multiple platforms and architectures, including those based on Intel Itanium or IA-32 processors.

Key Features

• Leading-edge, compact code-size performance
  
  
• Cross-architecture compatibility including those based on Itanium or IA-32 processors
  
  
• Single EFI image can serve multiple market segments
  
  
• Source compatible with multiple EFI drivers
  
  

Features and Benefits

What's New in This Product

• The compiler provides leading-edge code size performance.
• EBC images are binary compatible across IA-32 and Itanium architectures.
• Since an EBC image can execute on IA-32 or Itanium architectures, a significant reduction in code-size space is realized, resulting in cost savings to card vendors. Another cost-saving feature enables card vendors to offer a single card to serve multiple market segments.
• Developers can use a single source to create images for different target architectures, including IA-32 or Itanium processors, or EBC.
  
  

Performance, Compatibility, Support

Main Product Features

(All features are for IA-32 and Itanium-based systems unless otherwise noted).

• The compiler provides leading-edge, compact code-size performance.
  
  
• EBC images are binary compatible across IA-32 and Itanium architectures.
  
  
• The same EFI source code can be re-compiled with the EBC compiler. Developers can use a single source to create images for different target architectures including, IA-32 or Itanium processors.
  
  
• Since an EFI Byte Code (EBC) image can execute on IA-32 or Itanium architectures, a significant reduction in code-size space is realized, resulting in cost savings to card vendors. Another cost-saving feature enables card vendors to offer a single card to serve multiple market segments. The Intel C Compiler for EFI Byte Code creates an image in EFI Byte Code (EBC). This image can be executed by systems that implement the EFI 1.10 specification (or later). These systems include an EBC interpreter that loads and interprets the EBC image, allowing an EBC image to be executed on multiple platforms and architectures including both the Itanium-based and IA-32 processor architectures.
  
  Typically, an EBC image is programmed into a PCI card's option ROM. Since an EBC image can execute on both architectures, a significant reduction of code-size space is realized. Another cost-saving feature is enabling card vendors to have one card that serves multiple markets.
  
  Prior to using this compiler, it is recommended that a working native EFI image should already be developed. The EFI sample implementation driver development tools can be downloaded from the EFI website. Download the "EFI Sample Implementation 1.10.14.57 (for EFI 1.10 Specification Draft 0.9)" or later version from this website. Instructions for developing EFI 1.10 device drivers are in the Release Notes.
  
  

System Requirements

• A system based on an Intel Pentium processor or a subsequent processor based on IA-32 architecture
• 128 MB of RAM
• 100 MB of disk space. During installation only, allow an additional 100 MB for the download and temporary, intermediate files.
• 100 MB of hard disk space for the virtual memory paging file. Be sure to use at least the minimum amount of virtual memory recommended by Microsoft Windows

• Microsoft Windows 2000 with SP3 or higher, or Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Linker that supports EFI Byte Code (EBC) and associated Linker Support Files. This linker is included in:
  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003
  • Windows Server 2003 Driver Development Kit (DDK)
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Software Development Kit (SDK)
  NOTE: Linker usage is subject to the Microsoft end-user license agreement.
• EFI Sample Implementation Version 1.10.14.57 (or later)