Thread: Registers

  1. #1
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    Question Registers

    I have a 16 bit register (0-15). I want to store a 10 bit number in bits 5-14 as bits 0-4 are reserved. When I use the left shift operator the number multiplies by 32, therefore when I read the register I have stored a different value. Is there a way around this?

  2. #2
    Skunkmeister Stoned_Coder's Avatar
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    is this a hardware register or a defined by you register. If the latter you can define it as a bit field then you will be able to do what you want with the bits you want to play with and leave the reserved bits alone.
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  3. #3
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    If you want to preserve the bits already there, then you need to do a read/modify/write type operation.

    Code:
    int temp = reg;   // read your register
    temp = temp & 0x1F;  // mask off all the bits you want to change
    temp = temp | (new_value << 5); // add your new bits, shifted into the correct place
    reg = temp;  // assign back to your reg.
    > If the latter you can define it as a bit field
    If its an internal data structure, then this is OK, but it's far from portable if its an external register/data structure.
    The layout of bit fields is compiler specific.
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