CSCI 3130 – Exam 1 Study Guide

Study Notes

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.