Computer Architecture 2: Assembly Language Basics

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What are the two main types of language that the computer uses?

Machine language and assembly language.

What is the main purpose of assembly language?

Assembly language uses symbols to represent instructions, making it slightly easier to understand than machine language.

What is the role of the Assembler in programming?

The Assembler is a program that converts instructions written in assembly language into machine language.

What are the benefits of assembly language compared to machine language?

Assembly language is much easier to read and write. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pseudo-instruction used for in assembly language?

To provide comments and notes for the programmer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the MOV instruction in assembly language?

The MOV instruction is used to move data from one location to another. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main operations that the ADD instruction can perform?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction is used to decrease a value by one?

DEC Signup and view all the answers

The INC instruction is used to increase a value by one.

True Signup and view all the answers

What instruction is used to combine the contents of two registers?

ADD Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction is used to divide the contents of two registers?

DIV Signup and view all the answers

What does the XCHG instruction do?

The XCHG instruction swaps the contents of two registers or a register and a memory location. Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction uses a lookup table to perform a translation?

XLAT Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'AND' logical operation?

The AND operation performs a bit-by-bit logical AND on the operand values. If both bits are 1, the resulting bit is 1. Otherwise, it is 0. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the 'OR' logical operation.

The OR operation performs a bit-by-bit logical OR on the operand values. If either bit is 1, the resulting bit is 1. Otherwise, it is 0. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the 'XOR' logical operation.

The XOR operation performs a bit-by-bit logical XOR on the operand values. If the two bits are different, the resulting bit is 1. Otherwise, it is 0. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'NOT' logical operation do?

The NOT operation inverts each individual bit in the operand value. It changes 0s to 1s and 1s to 0s. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course: Computer Architecture 2
Instructor: Dr. Rouda Mehbani
Term: Third and Fourth Lecture
Course Level: Second Year
Department: Computer Engineering
University: National Private University
Country: Syria

Assembly Instructions

Assembly language uses symbolic codes (SYMBOLIC CODE) to represent machine language instructions.
It is easier to read and write compared to machine language.
Assembly language is closer to machine language.
Instructions are represented by 3 or 4 letter abbreviations or symbols.
Examples: ADD (Addition), SUB (Subtraction).
Each processor family has its own set of instruction codes.

Machine Language

Machine language is the language directly understood by the computer.
It uses the binary number system (0 and 1)
It doesn't require a translator.

Assembler

Assembler translates assembly language into machine language.
Necessary for the computer to understand assembly instructions.
Converts symbolic abbreviations into binary code.

Machine Language vs. Assembly Language

Assembly Language is easier to read and write.
Assembly language allows for better use of processor resources.
Assembly Language is specific to a particular processor type.
Machine Language is the only language a processor can directly execute

Instructions Format

Instructions are composed of several fields separated by spaces.
NAME: Contains the instruction name.
OPERATION: Has the task the instruction executes.
OPERAND: Contains the value or values used by the instruction.
COMMENTS: An optional field to comment on the instruction.

Pseudo-Instructions

Pseudo-instructions are notes or comments to explain the instruction for the user of the program.
Begins with a semicolon (;).

Example Instruction: MOV CX, 5; Initialize Counter

MOV = Move data
CX = Counter register
5 = Value to be moved into CX
Comments explain the purpose of the instruction.

XLAT Instruction

XLAT Instruction: Used to translate an ASCII character code into its equivalent representation by a look up table.
The operation takes the content of AL, combines it with BX and DS.
The result is put in AL.

Arithmetic Instructions

ADD: Adds two operands.
ADC: Adds two operands and the carry flag.
INC: Increments an operand by 1.
SUB: Subtracts two operands.
SBB: Subtracts two operands and the borrow flag.
DEC: Decrements an operand by 1.

Logical Instructions

Multiplication and Division Instructions

MUL: Multiplies two operands.
DIV: Divides two operands.

Data Types

Byte
Word
Addresses

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the foundational concepts of Assembly Language and Machine Language as taught in Computer Architecture 2 during the third and fourth lectures. You will explore symbolic codes, instruction sets, and the role of assemblers in translating code for computer comprehension.