.data       #  .data starts the data segment of the program, where all the global variables are held.
prompt1:        .asciiz     "Enter text, followed by $:\n"
outmsg:     .asciiz     "Count: "
ending:     .asciiz     "End of program"
        .globl      main
        .text

main:   # Sets the program up

    la      $a0,    prompt1
    li      $v0,    4
    syscall                     # Asks user for sequence

    # Declares s0 as $
    li      $s0,    36

    # Reset the loop
    li      $t0, 0

readloop:                           # Reading the character from terminal

    # Reads a char
    li      $v0,    12
    syscall                     # Reading a character
    add     $s1,    $zero,  $v0     # Receive the character in v0 & move to s1
    beq     $s1,    $s0,    endloop

    # Process counter
    add     $t0,    $t0,    1       # Add 1 to counter

    # If the character is $ the loop finishes
    bne     $s0,    $s1,    readloop    # Branch when the character is not $

endloop:

    # Shows result
    add $a0, $t0, $zero
    li $v0, 1
    syscall

    # End the program
    la      $a0,    ending
    li      $v0,    4
    syscall

    li      $v0,    10
    syscall