Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
patshaughnessy.net
Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
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Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#2Also Matt Godbolt's gcc explorer is the the bee's knees for understanding assembly
I think that playing around with it for 2 hours will teach you more than most classes on the topic. It really drives home why interactivity is such a bit deal in education.
You should also try writing a script for counting instructions in binaries. It's pretty illuminating. Here are some sample statistics https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:j0gebK...
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#3You might like this:
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#4x86 is the worst ISA. If you want to play with assembler without feeling a desire to stab yourself and end it all, I recommend ARM.
Or go learn Z80, x86's weird, 8-bit cousin (it had a 16-bit version, but it sold poorly), which had a greater emphasis on backwards compatability (you can run code from the original 8080 on a Z80, unchanged), and is nicer to work with (because it wasn't extended in unticipated directions far beyond its original capabilities, while keeping fetishistic backwards compatability by stacking hack on top of hack on top hack. It also didn't have memory segmentation, otherwise known as The Worst Thing.)
There are only two common reasons to learn Z80 assembler, though: to program the Gameboy (which runs on a modified Z80 with all the cool instructions removed), and to program a TI calculator, thus making all highschoolers in your area immensely happy.
TI calculators are a comically overpriced scam, that have only survived because of the College Board, but that's another story.
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#5Excellent article that has context around the how and why, which I appreciated. Pat has a great "explorer" writing style.
I was going to post this last night but figured it must have been posted already. I was wrong! Nice to see it ok the front page.
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#6x86 is the worst ISA. If you want to play with assembler without feeling a desire to stab yourself and end it all, I recommend ARM. Or go learn Z80, x86's weird, 8-bit cousin (it had a 16-bit version, but it sold poorly), which had a greater emphasis on backwards compatability (you can run code from the original 8080 on a Z80, unchanged), and is nicer to work with (because it wasn't extended in unticipated directions…
This is about learning to read, not learning to write.
If you're ever in a situation where you need to read assembly, it's typically not up to you what ISA it'll be in. There are two situations where I've had to read assembly: either reverse-engineering a compiled binary or trying to understand the compiler output for a small piece of a program I'm working on in a higher-level language.
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#7x86 is the worst ISA. If you want to play with assembler without feeling a desire to stab yourself and end it all, I recommend ARM. Or go learn Z80, x86's weird, 8-bit cousin (it had a 16-bit version, but it sold poorly), which had a greater emphasis on backwards compatability (you can run code from the original 8080 on a Z80, unchanged), and is nicer to work with (because it wasn't extended in unticipated directions…
> There are only two common reasons to learn Z80 assembler, though: to program the Gameboy [...] and to program a TI calculator
What about the myriad of other (mostly vintage) computer systems and video game consoles out there? ;)
Sega Master System and Game Gear, for example.
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#8x86 is the worst ISA. If you want to play with assembler without feeling a desire to stab yourself and end it all, I recommend ARM. Or go learn Z80, x86's weird, 8-bit cousin (it had a 16-bit version, but it sold poorly), which had a greater emphasis on backwards compatability (you can run code from the original 8080 on a Z80, unchanged), and is nicer to work with (because it wasn't extended in unticipated directions…
> There are only two common reasons to learn Z80 assembler, though: to program the Gameboy [...] and to program a TI calculator What about the myriad of other (mostly vintage) computer systems and video game consoles out there? ;) Sega Master System and Game Gear, for example.
They're not as common reasons.
But yes, if you want to program your TRS-80 (but only the original: later ones were 6502), or your ZX* (How many of you lot know the ZX line? Spectrum? No?), or your Game Gear, or your Master System, or any of the various CP/M machines, you have to learn Z80.
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#9x86 is the worst ISA. If you want to play with assembler without feeling a desire to stab yourself and end it all, I recommend ARM. Or go learn Z80, x86's weird, 8-bit cousin (it had a 16-bit version, but it sold poorly), which had a greater emphasis on backwards compatability (you can run code from the original 8080 on a Z80, unchanged), and is nicer to work with (because it wasn't extended in unticipated directions…
This is about learning to read, not learning to write. If you're ever in a situation where you need to read assembly, it's typically not up to you what ISA it'll be in. There are two situations where I've had to read assembly: either reverse-engineering a compiled binary or trying to understand the compiler output for a small piece of a program I'm working on in a higher-level language.
Oh. Well then, yeah.
Besides, you don't have to worry about the worst of x86 in those cases.
I'm pretty sure everyone has to learn at least that much x86 at some point, like it or not.
Re: Learning to Read X86 Assembly Language
#10x86 is the worst ISA. If you want to play with assembler without feeling a desire to stab yourself and end it all, I recommend ARM. Or go learn Z80, x86's weird, 8-bit cousin (it had a 16-bit version, but it sold poorly), which had a greater emphasis on backwards compatability (you can run code from the original 8080 on a Z80, unchanged), and is nicer to work with (because it wasn't extended in unticipated directions…
Another good one for learning is the 6502. Don't forget to buy a copy of Lance A. Leventhal's "6502 Assembly Language Programming". Great book for learning not only assembly, but also the fundamentals leading up to assembly.