8086 Programming ALP Overview

Assembly Language Programming (ALP)

• ALP translates into machine language for execution using two, three, or four-letter English-like words called mnemonics.

ALP Tips

• Optimum solution: chooses the solution that takes minimum memory space and minimum time for execution.
• Use of proper instructions: evaluates different sets of instructions to solve a specific problem, considering space and time.
• Use of proper addressing modes: compares various addressing modes in terms of time to access data.
• Prepare documentation: provides enough information for others to utilize the program module without examining its internal structure.
• Use of advanced instructions: optimally utilizes the processor's capabilities, e.g., MOVS.

Programming with an Assembler

• Steps involved in developing and executing ALP:
  • Writing an ALP in a text editor (e.g., edit, notepad)
  • Inputting the ALP into an assembler
  • Assembler translates assembly language statements into binary equivalents (object code) and checks for errors

8086 Programming

• A program is a set of instructions in a specific sequence to perform a specific task, telling the microprocessor what to do.

Steps in Programming

• Specifying the problem: finding out which task is to be performed
• Designing the problem solution: developing and writing down the exact step-by-step process to be followed
• Coding: implementing the program
• Debugging: testing the code to ensure it performs the given task and correcting errors if necessary

Flow Chart

• A graphical tool that allows programmers to present various actions in a proper sequence, helping to develop programming logic and clarify understanding

Machine Language

• Computers understand binary form (e.g., 100010100101000) which is difficult for humans to memorize and write programs in.
• Programmers write programs in assembly language, which is then translated into machine language.

Object Code and Linker

• Object code module contains information about where the program or module is loaded in memory and additional linkage information.
• At link time, separately assembled modules are combined into one single load module by the linker.

Debugging Process

• A debugger is a program that loads an object code program into system memory, executes the program, and allows debugging.
• Debugger allows examining contents of registers and memory locations, changing contents, and rerunning the program.
• Debugger allows setting breakpoints, running the program up to the breakpoint, and examining registers and memory.