SPARC Multiply and Divide Instructions

The Version 7 SPARC processors do not have multiply or divide instructions. These instructions are emulated in software and should be avoided. Because a driver cannot determine whether it is running on a Version 7, Version 8, or Version 9 processor, intensive integer multiplication and division should be avoided if possible. Instead, use bitwise left and right shifts to multiply and divide by powers of two.

The SPARC Architecture Manual, Version 9, contains more specific information on the SPARC CPU. The SPARC Compliance Definition, Version 2.4, contains details of the SPARC V9 application binary interface (ABI). It describes the 32-bit SPARC V8 ABI and the 64-bit SPARC V9 ABI. You can obtain this document from SPARC International at http://www.sparc.com.