Introduction to Assembly Language Programming: For Pentium and RISC Processors (Texts in Computer Science) [Hardcover]

Sivarama P. Dandamudi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0387206361 | ISBN-13: 978-0387206363 | Edition: 2nd

This updated textbook introduces readers to assembly and its evolving role in computer programming and design. The author concentrates the revised edition on protected-mode Pentium programming, MIPS assembly language programming, and use of the NASM and SPIM assemblers for a Linux orientation. The focus is on providing students with a firm grasp of the main features of assembly programming, and how it can be used to improve a computer's performance. All of the main features are covered in depth, and the book is equally viable for DOS or Linux, MIPS (RISC) or CISC (Pentium). The book is based on a successful course given by the author and includes numerous hands-on exercises.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Assembly language continues to hold a core position in the programming world because of its similar structure to machine language and its very close links to underlying computer-processor architecture and design. These features allow for high processing speed, low memory demands, and the capacity to act directly on the system’s hardware. This completely revised second edition of the highly successful Introduction to Assembly Language Programming introduces readers to assembly language programming and its role in computer programming and design. It focuses on providing a firm grasp of the main features of assembly programming, and how it can be used to improve a computer's performance. The revised edition covers a broad scope of subjects and adds valuable material on protected-mode Pentium programming, MIPS assembly language programming, and use of the NASM and SPIM assemblers for a Linux orientation. All of the language's main features are covered in depth. The book requires only some basic experience with a structured, high-level language. Topics and Features: *Introduces assembly language so that readers can benefit from learning its utility with both CISC and RISC processors [ NEW ] *Employs the freely available NASM assembler, which works with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems [ NEW ] *Contains a revised chapter on "Basic Computer Organization" [ NEW] *Uses numerous examples, hands-on exercises, programming code analyses and challenges, and chapter summaries *Incorporates full new chapters on recursion, protected-mode interrupt processing, and floating-point instructions [ NEW ] *Supplies up-to-date details, examples, and software via the author’s website *Provides excellent appendixes and a comprehensive index Assembly language programming is part of several undergraduate curricula in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering. In addition, this newly revised text/reference can be used as an ideal companion resource in a computer organization course or as a resource for professional courses or self-study.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 720 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 2nd edition (November 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387206361
• ISBN-13: 978-0387206363
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #609,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Assembly Language Programming

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Assembly Language, February 25, 2005

By 

J. W. Ward (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Assembly Language Programming: For Pentium and RISC Processors (Texts in Computer Science) (Hardcover)

Previously the books on Assembly I have read have been either 100 percent Intel syntax or have been based on DOS Debug, which is pretty antiquated. Reading this book introduced a number of new concepts and was for the most part an enjoyable read. First thing though, this book is designed as a textbook. While the book does cover the basic syntax in Assembly, I feel that it would be a difficult to read for a beginner who has not at least wet their feet in some form of assembly. It is definitely meant to be a book used in a classroom with an experienced facilitator covering the material. Being that it is a textbook, it does have nice exercises at the end of each chapter, if you can get passed the mental block of doing "homework", which are very helpful in understanding the material. The content of the book is very good. A detailed explanation of the different memory models used in the x86-programming model was very informative. I unfortunately did not get passed the Pentium processor programming, but I look forward to going over the MIPS processor when I get a chance and something to develop on.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good skill to cultivate, for any programmer, May 22, 2006

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Assembly Language Programming: For Pentium and RISC Processors (Texts in Computer Science) (Hardcover)

The Pentium chip dominates the desktop, and this book reflects that. It teaches you the ideas in assembly programming, with a clear emphasis on doing so for the Pentium.

Dandamudi also provides a concise summary of the history of the Pentium, going way back to the 8085 and 8080, around 1982. From these sprang the x86 family. All the way to the 486. But AMD's pesky nipping at the heels caused Intel to lose copyright to "586"; from which Pentium was chosen as the new copyrightable label. Alas, Intel never pushed "Sextium" but instead used "Pentium Pro".

The book has copious examples of assembly code. These are extensively documented inline, to an extent that you will rarely see in most real code. The pedagogy should be clear to most readers. Who are also encouraged to try the problems provided in each chapter. Assembly programming is very different from coding in a higher language like C or Java, and it is a worthy skill to cultivate. And one that is independent of the actual processor family that you code in. If nothing else, the text gives you an underlying qualitative understanding of how higher languages are ultimately expressed in binary executables.

I suppose I should say that there is also some coverage of alternative chip families in the book. Notably some RISC processors. These form a conceptually distinct approach to designing a microprocessor.