Thread: Wanna learn Assembly?

  1. #16
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    >But it does not help me in building application...

    The need for assembly is application dependent. I wonder if most programmers can really add something useful to the results a modern optimizing C compiler gives.

    But anyway, going back to the original question of the thread, there is nothing bad in wanting to understand how a microprocessor works and how to use its instruction set. In fact, it is never bad to learn.

  2. #17
    junior member mix0matt's Avatar
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    >>The need for assembly is application dependent. I wonder if most programmers can really add something useful to the results a modern optimizing C compiler gives. <<

    This is all I was trying to say...the "waste of time" comment was hyperbole.

    >>But anyway, going back to the original question of the thread, there is nothing bad in wanting to understand how a microprocessor works and how to use its instruction set. In fact, it is never bad to learn.<<

    couldn't agree more...in fact i think this is where the usefulness of assmebly should end for most programmers...

    >>Would you like to explain to me how your great higher-level languages are made? Hint, they use a language that rhymes with bassembly.<<

    yeah sure...most of the major compilers and interpreters are coded in C/C++...GCC, VC++, python, perl,...i could go on, but i think you get the point.

  3. #18
    the Corvetter
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    What you can do with Assembly, is write your own Operating System. That's what I'm doing with it...
    1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette

  4. #19
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    I too want to lean ASM but i am not able to have a good start at it..

  5. #20
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    >What you can do with Assembly, is write your own Operating
    System.

    That's just one of the applications. I usually only use it when having to do low level stuff. For the other things I trust my compiler and I the libraries I'm using are highly optimized. At least, it is what their documentation say.

  6. #21
    ¡Amo fútbol!
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    Originally posted by mix0matt
    >>Would you like to explain to me how your great higher-level languages are made? Hint, they use a language that rhymes with bassembly.<<

    yeah sure...most of the major compilers and interpreters are coded in C/C++...GCC, VC++, python, perl,...i could go on, but i think you get the point. [/B]
    Did you read what I said? I said the languages themselves, not the compilers. i.e. C++, C, I could go on, but I think you get the point.

  7. #22
    junior member mix0matt's Avatar
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    >>Did you read what I said? I said the languages themselves, not the compilers. i.e. C++, C, I could go on, but I think you get the point.<<

    maybe i'm the moron here, but can you explain to me how you "make" a language...
    THIS IS NOT JUST A CHRONICLING OF THINGS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST BUT OUR RISE TO POWER.

  8. #23
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    >maybe i'm the moron here, but can you explain to me how you "make" a language...<

    "Making" a language simply involves writing a specification for programmers to go by. To get anywhere with the language though you'll need a compiler or another tool to translate your language source code into machine language. The compiler is defined _around_ the language, not the language around the compiler. Although, Basic is a different story...

  9. #24
    the Corvetter
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    >> Although, Basic is a different story... <<

    Really? How so? I dont' really know the history of Basic...
    1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette

  10. #25
    Registered User billholm's Avatar
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    Oh no! I think I'm going to fart... PROOOT!!!
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  11. #26
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    A programming language is just a mathematical concept. Designing a programming language requires developing an alphabet and grammar.

    To make the language usable, you need to create tools like a compiler. The compiler translates your language to a language your machine understands, which is machine language. Or you can compile to assembly and let an assembler translate the assembly to machine language.

  12. #27
    the Corvetter
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    >> Or you can compile to assembly and let an assembler translate the assembly to machine language. <<

    This would probably be easiest, but who's here writing their own language? I'd support you the whole way. That's pretty neat. When I get to it in my OS dev, I'm probably going to have to write my own API and, maybe, my own language ...
    1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette

  13. #28
    Registered User VBprogrammer's Avatar
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    Lightbulb

    Hello! Get a grip!...

    Sorry but you guys need some harsh words!

    If we all took the same approach to programming we'd all be using VB. Slow, Weak but easy as hell to learn and maintain.

    ASM gives you complete control, did you know C uses the stack to hold local varribles? Did you know how slow this is! I can use lots of techniques to avoid this (such as using special purpose regs as general purpose regs when i dont need them), C will just fire ahead without an e-thought. Byte for Byte any well writen ASM program will beat a C program hands down. Hech, if C's so high and mighty why, then, does just about every C compiler support in-line assembly!

    Your line of argument reminds me of a car advert thats been on tv alot. "Why invent the light bulb when candles are OK." Come on guys your just being plain sad!
    VC++ 6

  14. #29
    Registered User Compuboy's Avatar
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    Gah?

    &nbsp;&nbsp;I really can't understand anyone who says that ASM is now obsolete, which a lot of people here seem to think. I just couldn't believe my eyes!

    &nbsp;&nbsp;ASM is at the heart and center of everything. Machine code and ASM are directly interchangable. That means that as long as there is machine code, there will always be assembly. No OS can ever be written without assembly and most decent programs have a good deal of ASM in them, as well.

    &nbsp;&nbsp;I recently downloaded the new version of DJGPP. It may well be state-of-the-art or whatever, but it's completely changed its naming conventions and has just got too complicated for its own good. I've been forced to start work on my own little C-to-ASM converter. What's the programming world coming to?

  15. #30
    Registered User Mario's Avatar
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    >> Hech, if C's so high and mighty why, then, does just about every C compiler support in-line assembly!

    It seems to me rather ridicule to be discussing Assembly as the only and one answer to all the problems in life in a C/C++ forum.

    I could understand it on an Assembly forum by people that never took the time to know exactly what C/C++ can do for them. Here? Well here it just looks silly.

    >> Your line of argument reminds me of a car advert thats been on tv alot. "Why invent the light bulb when candles are OK." Come on guys your just being plain sad!

    Well, conversely, yours seem a bit like "Why using jets, if cheaper cars can get you there?"... it may be cheaper. It may be powerful. It may allow for sight-seeing. But it's damn slow to code and hard to debug in comparison.
    What is asked these days when coding a project? I'm sure I don't need to tell you. But nonetheless, do it as quickly as possible. Do it as I asked. Do it so that code can be easily changed/upgraded so that we can add new features on future (payable) versions.

    Now do that in Assembly.

    Note: I actually prefer cars to planes, mind you. But I'll leave the comparison at it.

    [edit]Some embarrassing typos. Corrected...[/edit]
    Last edited by Mario; 06-18-2002 at 05:08 PM.
    Regards,
    Mario Figueiredo
    Using Borland C++ Builder 5

    Read the Tao of Programming
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