Intel tool suite improves software performance

Intel Corp. has introduced its C++ software development tool suite that is designed to help developers improve the performance of software running on handheld devices.

Consisting of a compiler and debugging tools, the tool suite supports application and system software development for devices using the company's Personal Internet Client Architecture (Intel PCA) processors that run OSs from Palm, Symbian, Nucleus, and devices that are OS-independent.

Jon Khazam, GM of Software Products Division, said, "This is the first compiler and set of debugging tools we've offered for the Palm, Symbian and Nucleus OSs, and, like all our tools, it offers developers the potential for improved application performance."

The tool suite also includes support for the next generation Intel PCA processor codenamed Bulverde, which is based on the Xscale technology.

With the compilers, software developers can translate a programming language, such as C++, into the machine language understood by the processor. According to Intel, a more efficient compiler results in better application performance.

The compiler in the tool suite offers some of the same compiler technology also available in compilers for the company's Pentium 4, Xeon and Itanium 2 processors, such as support for interprocedural optimization, which can speed application performance.

The debugger provides in-depth views into XScale Technology which can be useful for low-level driver and application development.

The tool suite has a suggested retail price of $2,999 for a single-user subscription. This includes support for one year.