ofATS

OFATS, an acronym for the Object File and Assembly Translation System, is a software tool used for converting and translating object files and assembly code between different computer architectures. Developed in the 1970s and 1980s, OFATS was primarily used in the Unix environment, where it facilitated the portability of assembly language code across various platforms.

The OFATS tool was designed to minimize the manual effort required in converting assembly code for different architectures. It employed a table-driven approach to handle the nuances of various machine languages, thereby reducing the likelihood of errors associated with manual conversion.

OFATS consisted of two primary components: the Translator Generator (TG) and the Translator Selector (TS). The TG was responsible for generating translators from a set of machine-dependent assembly languages, while the TS selected the appropriate translator based on the input object file type.

The development and maintenance of OFATS further contributed to the standardization of assembly language conventions in the Unix environment. Although OFATS is no longer an actively developed or maintained tool, its influence is still visible in the development and deployment of cross-compiler tools. OFATS form part of the broader evolution of software development methodologies. More recent advancements have improved upon its functionality, but the principles of assembly code translation and conversion remain its established heritage.