The basic concept of Assembly Language revolves around providing a human-
readable way to write machine-level code. It’s a low-level programming
language that is closely related to a computer's hardware architecture. Unlike
high-level languages (like Python, C++, Java), assembly language provides direct
control over the hardware.
🔑 Key Concepts:
1. Machine Code Representation:
o Assembly language is a symbolic representation of machine code.
o Each instruction corresponds directly to a machine language
instruction (binary code) that the CPU understands.
2. Mnemonics:
o Instructions are written using simple, readable keywords called
mnemonics.
o For example, MOV (move), ADD (addition), SUB (subtraction), JMP
(jump).
3. Registers:
o Assembly language often involves working directly with CPU registers
(small storage areas within the CPU).
o Example: AX, BX, CX, DX in x86 architecture.
4. Labels and Instructions:
o Labels are used to mark memory addresses for easy referencing.
o Instructions are commands for the processor to execute, like data
transfer, arithmetic operations, control flow, etc.
5. Memory Addressing:
o It provides the ability to manipulate and control memory locations
directly.
o Different addressing modes are used, such as immediate, direct,
indirect, indexed, etc.
6. Assembly Language Program Structure:
o A typical program includes sections like Data Segment (for
variables), Code Segment (for instructions), and Stack Segment (for
temporary data storage).
7. Assembler:
o A program that translates assembly code into machine code (object
code) for execution by the computer’s CPU.
8. Hardware Dependency:
o Assembly language is specific to a particular computer architecture
(e.g., x86, ARM).
o Code written for one architecture usually won't run on another
without modification.
Why Learn Assembly Language?
To understand how hardware and software interact.
For system programming, embedded systems, or performance-critical
applications.
To write high-performance code when needed.