CSCI 3130 – Exam 1 Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

How many general-purpose registers are available in the x86_64 processor?

8 (correct)

What is the primary purpose of the 'global' keyword in assembly language?

To allocate memory for a variable

To declare a function local to a module

To define a default value for a variable

To make a variable accessible in other modules (correct)

Which of the following instructions is typically used for system calls?

syscall (correct)

jmp

call

ret

Which representation is typically used for immediate (constant) values in assembly code?

$ Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of executing the 'mul' instruction in assembly language?

It multiplies values and stores the result in RAX Signup and view all the answers

In the context of combinational logic, what does a NOT gate do?

Inverts the input signal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following Boolean algebra manipulations simplifies the expression A AND NOT A?

0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a truth table in digital logic?

To represent the behaviour of a logic circuit Signup and view all the answers

What value is moved to the rax register with the instruction 'mov rax, Arr[rdi * 8]' assuming rdi = 5?

66 Signup and view all the answers

What does the instruction 'CMP rax, 0' followed by 'JE done' check for?

Whether rax is equal to 0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of executing 'MUL rcx' with rax = 3 and rcx = 5?

rax = 15, rdx = 0, rcx = 5 Signup and view all the answers

What keyword is used in Netwide assembler to make an assembly function visible to foreign codes?

global Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the instruction 'AND rax, rcx'?

Perform a logical AND between rax and rcx Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction will effectively convert a binary number '00111101' to its two's complement?

Add 1 to 00111101 Signup and view all the answers

When converting the unsigned binary number '10010001' to decimal, what is the result?

145 Signup and view all the answers

How many bits of memory does the 'dd' directive reserve?

32 bits Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Assembly

General-purpose registers in x86_64 architecture include rax, rbx, rcx, rdx, rdi, rsi, r8 through r15.
OS system function calls are executed using syscall, while standard function calls use the call instruction.
Arguments for standard functions are typically passed through registers: rdi, rsi, rdx, rcx, r8, and r9.
The text segment contains executable code, while the data segment holds initialized global and static variables.
Memory allocation directives include db (define byte), dw (define word), dd (define double word), and dq (define quad word).
The global keyword in assembly makes symbols visible to other modules during linking.
Opcode represents the operational code of an instruction in machine language.
Key x86_64 instructions include comparison (CMP), move (MOV), add (ADD), and arithmetic operations (MUL, DIV).
Ability to write assembly functions such as factorial, product of six numbers, average of four numbers, and volume of a cube.

Identification/Terms

Computer organization refers to the physical components of a computer system.
Computer architecture involves the design and behavior of a computer system.
Computer design encompasses the structure of the components and the overall system.
George Boole, John Vincent Atanasoff, and Claude Shannon were pivotal figures in the development of computer science and digital logic.
Boolean logic deals with true/false values and is foundational for computer programming.
A gate is a basic building block in digital circuits that implements Boolean functions.
Logic diagrams visually represent circuits and their function.
Combinational logic refers to circuits where the output is determined solely by the current input values.

Conversion

Two's complement is a method for representing signed integers in binary.
Conversion between binary, octal, and hexadecimal formats is essential for understanding data representation.
Ability to perform calculations to transition between number systems is vital.

Boolean Algebra

Deriving expressions from truth tables is fundamental in Boolean algebra.
Simplification of Boolean expressions can be done using algebraic manipulation and identities.

Combinational Circuits

Familiarity with truth tables and symbols for gates:
- NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR.
Capability to draw logic diagrams for simplified Boolean expressions.

Practice Questions

Understand differences between high-level and low-level languages.
Identify advantages of assembly language such as efficiency and hardware control.
Explore the concept of abstraction in programming languages.
Knowledge of object files and their role in assembly programming.
Recognize the importance of zeroing registers before operations like division.
Understand how instructions interact with registers (e.g., mov, CMP, MUL, DIV).
Familiarity with commands to reserve memory and distinguish between text and data sections.
Computing and converting numbers between binary, decimal, octal, and hexadecimal systems reinforces number system concepts.
Practical application of designing circuits and truth tables for various logic gates demonstrates comprehension of combinational logic.

General Tips

Review detailed notes, assignments, and circuit files for a broader understanding.
Familiarize with common assembly instructions and their effects on registers.
Practice conversion exercises to strengthen number system conversions and two's complement calculations.

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Description

Prepare for the CSCI 3130 Exam 1 with this comprehensive study guide. It covers essential topics including assembly language, OS system function calls, register conventions, and memory allocation. Familiarize yourself with x86_64 instructions and key concepts to excel in your exam.