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              CSEE 3827: Homework 4
	      Due: Thursday 11/6 at 10:10am (on Courseworks)
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For this assignment, you will implement three MIPS functions.

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                        countzeroes

This function takes one argument:
	  a 32-bit value passed via a register.  

It is to return: 
   	  the number of zeroes in the 32-bit value.

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                        ispalindrome

This function takes one argument:
   string_ptr: a pointer to a null-terminated string of characters

It is to return:
    1 or 0 indicating whether or not the string is palindrome

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                       countlocalminima

This function takes two arguments, in the following order:
   array_ptr: a pointer to an array of integers
   array_len: an integer indicating the number of integers in the array

It is to return:
   the number of local minima in the array

For the purposes of this function, a local minimum is defined as a
number smaller than its two neighbors. Given three consecutive
integers A, B, C where B < A and B < C, B is one local minimum.

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              OTHER INSTRUCTIONS
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* Each of your functions should adhere to MIPS calling conventions.

* While performance is not strictly a criterion for this assignment,
  do your best to write clean code as it will help you (and us)
  understand its behavior.

* Place all of your code above the indicated line in hw4.s.  

* Below the indicated line, we have included several calls to test the
  your functions.  You may add or write your own to test specific
  pieces as you develop and debug.

* We will be testing your programs using SPIM, the MIPS simulator,
  which is installed on CUNIX.  You too should develop and test your
  code using SPIM.  To access it, simply log into one of CUNIX's
  machines: ssh mak2191@cunix.cc.columbia.edu (using your own UNI and
  CUIT password).

* DO NOT REMOVE THE FOLLOWING INDICATOR LINE FROM YOUR SUBMISSION:
  ############ PLACE ALL OF YOUR FUNCTIONS ABOVE THIS LINE ############
  When testing, we will replace everything below this line in your file
  with the original tests found in the template.

* To turn in your file, rename the file to be EXACTLY YOUR UNI (e.g.,
  mak2191.s) and upload it via courseworks.

