Chapter 3: Programming the 8086 Assembly Language

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Questions and Answers

Which language level is characterized by using mnemonics to represent instructions?

Binary Language

Assembly Language (correct)

Machine Language

High Level Languages

What is the primary function of an assembler in the context of programming?

To convert assembly language to machine language (correct)

To execute high-level programming languages

To manage memory allocation

To provide a graphical user interface

Which of the following programming languages is considered a high-level language?

FORTRAN (correct)

8086 Assembly

Binary Code

Machine Code

What does an assembler do in the process of program execution?

Converts mnemonics into binary form Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of programming directly in machine language?

It requires memorizing binary instructions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes high-level programming languages?

They are very similar to natural languages and abstract away machine details. Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction types are categorized as sequential control flow instructions?

Arithmetic, logical, data transfer, and processor control Signup and view all the answers

In which addressing mode is the immediate data incorporated directly into the instruction?

Immediate Addressing Mode Signup and view all the answers

What significantly differentiates assembly language from high-level languages?

Assembly language is mnemonically coded, while high-level languages are closer to natural language. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of programming language typically requires less understanding of the underlying hardware?

High Level Languages Signup and view all the answers

How is the effective address computed in the direct addressing mode?

By taking the segment address and offset value Signup and view all the answers

In the context of programming a microcomputer, what is the role of RAM?

To store instructions and data temporarily during program execution Signup and view all the answers

What role does a decoder play in the CPU during program execution?

Interprets binary instructions and controls execution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a control transfer instruction?

MOV Signup and view all the answers

What type of data does immediate addressing mode allow as a part of the instruction?

Static data specified in the code Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes control transfer instructions?

Instructions that change the flow of execution Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 3: Programming the 8086 in Assembly Language

The 8086 microprocessor is the subject discussed
Topics covered include: the programmer's view, basics of programming, 8086 addressing modes, and 8086 instruction set overview

Outline

The microcomputer (programmer's view)
Basics of programming
8086 addressing modes
8086 instruction set overview

Programmer's View

A diagram shows the components of a microcomputer system, including the microprocessor, bus interface logic, memory (RAM, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM), I/O devices (keypad, display, HDD, serial port, parallel port) and the communication links between them.
The microprocessor is responsible for controlling and managing the system
The bus interface manages data exchange between components

Basics

There are three language levels for programming microcomputers
Machine language uses binary codes for instructions. It is complex as binary codes need to be memorized and maintained, and errors can be difficult to spot.
Assembly language uses mnemonics (letters). It is more human-readable and easier to debug. The assembly language needs an assembler to translate it to machine code
High-level languages (e.g., BASIC, C, C++, Java) are even more English-like, but an interpreter or compiler is required to translate them into machine code.

Addressing Modes

Addressing modes determine how operands are accessed
Sequential control flow instructions execute instructions in order.
Control transfer instructions jump to specified addresses
Detailed example addressing modes include (Immediate, Direct, Register, Register Indirect,Indexed, Relative Based Indexed)
Examples of instructions associated with each mode, are given

Instruction Set of 8086 Overview

8086 instructions are grouped into six categories
Data transfer instructions (e.g., MOV, LEA, IN/OUT, PUSH/POP)
Arithmetic instructions (e.g., ADD, SUB, INC, CMP, MUL, DIV)
Bit manipulation instructions (e.g., AND, OR, XOR, NOT, shift/rotate operations)
String instructions (e.g., MOVS, LODS, STOS)
Program execution transfer instructions (e.g., JMP, CALL, RET, LOOP, INT)
Processor control instructions (e.g., HLT, WAIT, NOP)

Basic Instructions

Categorizing examples of each instruction type
Detailed description of data transfer instructions, including examples

Assembler Directives (Preprocessors)

ASSUME: Specifies the segment the assembler should address
DB: Declares variables and saves storage for them
END: Marks the end of the program
EQU: Assigns names to values or symbols

Processor Directives

EVEN: Aligns data/instructions to the even bank
EXTRN / GLOBAL: Makes symbols available to other modules/files
INCLUDE: Includes source code from external files
LENGTH: Determines the number of element in an array or string

Processor Directives (Examples)

NAME: Names for assembly modules
OFFSET: Calculates offset/displacement from start of segment
ORG: Sets the location counter to a value for program elements

Program Examples

Includes example programs, showing the usage of various instructions.
Demonstrating how to determine the general purpose register and flag content post-execution.
Celsius-to-Fahrenheit conversion demonstrations

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of programming the 8086 microprocessor in Assembly Language. Key topics include the programmer's view of the microcomputer, basic programming principles, various addressing modes, and an overview of the 8086 instruction set. Test your understanding of these foundational elements in microprocessor technology.