Assembler Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Where can I learn programming in Assembler for a mainframe? I used to program in Assembler on mainframes a long time ago, where can I re-train?

Answer: It sounds like you're 30 years out of date. Assembler is really only used in embedded systems (like engine sensor systems or wristwatches ) these days. I double anyone programs or maintains mainframe assembler.. Consider learning C/C++ instead its the "assembler" of the 21st century

Question: How to write an assembler program to arrange 2 numbers into ascending order of magnitude? The assembler program i am using is ATP(Assembler Training Program. Also, does the program have a way to delay numbers when they are displayed?..i would like to no how.

Answer: read in both numbers into registers and then use a comparison operator to jump to a subroutine to output them out of the registers in A,B or B,A order.

Question: What is the difference between compiler,interpreter and assembler? hat is the difference between compiler,interpreter and assembler

Answer: A compiler takes a text file written in a programming language, and converts it into binary code that a processor can understand: it makes an ".exe" file. You compile only once, then always run the "exe" file. Borland Turbo C is a compiler: you write in C in a text file, then you compile to get and exe file. An interpreter does the same, BUT in real time: each time you run the code, it is "compiled", line by line: Basic is an interpreter. An assembler is similar, in the way that, instead of taking a plain text file, ie in C, it takes a code written in Assembler Mnemonics, and convert it into binaries. All "executable" files are in binaries (just 1's and 0's) - maybe viewed in hex (0x12de...)

Question: how to go about making a two pass assembler? I have to make a two pass assembler using c. Can anyone explain what a two pass assembler do actually? how does it go about doing the translation, ie the exact procedure? Any link on working of assembler will be most welcome. I am proficient in c, but clueless about the working of a two pass assembler?

Answer: Years ago the gang at UC Berkeley developed Nachos, an OS. Not what you're looking for exactly, but Google "Nachos UC Berkeley" and you'll see some good stuff http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/1993/6022.html

Question: Explain what an assembler does with regard to an ASM source code file giving two examples of the operations ca? Explain what an assembler does with regard to an ASM source code file giving two examples of the operations carried out and their use.

Answer: or you could just do your own homework

Question: I work as a production assembler but I was scheduled to do garbage, what should I do? I just don't like to do the garbage jobs as I never did before in this company. Recently they suddenly scheduled me to do pick up garbages, which I don't like to do. What is a good way to talk to supervisor beside calling sick? Please help, thanks!

Answer: Maybe they fired the garbage collector. Take out the garbage and don't call out sick for something dumb like that or maybe you'll be fired. You could mention to your supervisor that since this task has been added to your regular duties you feel an increase in pay is warranted and see what he says to that.

Question: Which assembler would be best for x86 boot sector programming? Hi! I am trying to learn boot sector programming. Plz tell me which assembler should I use and how can I learn the syntax of assembly for that assembler. Thank You. Parv

Answer: You cannot build DOS/Windows .exe files for boot sector programs because of the .exe data header that is at the start of every .exe file. Therefore, you will need to build a DOS .com file. You can use the debug.exe that comes with DOS & Windows, but it is a primitive program that does not support labels. Just do an internet search on 'programming with debug' or something like that for instructions on how to use debug. Otherwise, you'll need an assembler & a linker which can make DOS .com files. For assemblers, you can try NASM: http://nasm.sourceforge.net/ MASM32: http://www.masm32.com/ or just do an internet search on 'DOS assemblers' To find a DOS linker, just do an internet search on 'DOS linker' If you cannot find one, then you can use the TLINK linker that comes with 'Borland Turbo C++ 3.0 For DOS.' You can download it here: http://www.xtcabandonware.com/game.php?id=tcpp3 To run TLINK.EXE, you can get a list of commands by using the '/?' command-line parameter. To tell the linker to build a .com file, you use the '/t' parameter.

Question: What is the function of a compiler, interpreter and an assembler? I'm kind of confused about what their function are. Do compiler and interpreter perform the same function? As a whole what do these do? And what is the difference in their function, if any?

Answer: compiler and interpreter: They are both similar as they achieve similar purposes, but inherently different as to how they achieve that purpose. Compiled code takes programs (source) written in some kind of programming language, and then ultimately translates it into object code or machine language. Compiled code does the work much more efficiently, because it produces a complete machine language program, which can then be executed. The interpreter translates instructions one at a time, and then executes those instructions immediately. The compiler is itself a computer program written usually in some implementation language. Assembler----->>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembler

Question: Can we write an assembler language program without using USING instructions? If yes, then how and if no then why not? Please give me a proper reason. It is an IBM 360 assembly language instruction used to specify the base register and its contents. For example: USING 0,15.

Answer: The 'using' instruction is a 'compound' instruction that makes use of several 'machine language instructions' in a specific order thereby simplifying the programmer's job. You could do this by breaking it down into the individual instructions which are included in the operation. However, you should be aware that in many cases when you break it down, the needed instructions are processor specific, a matter that is taken care of in the assembler program itself. (The IBM 360, if my memory is correct, could use several DIFFERENT processors and EACH needed a different assembler program designed for the applicable processor(s).)

Question: Is Apple simply an assembler of stock components? Or do they manufacture a fair bit of what goes into their products?

Answer: Just like other major computer companies, they design all the hardware except the drives, memory, video controller, and LCD screen. The companies that are simply "assemblers of stock components" are the small ono-man operations like "Bob's computers" down the street.

Question: How do I my compiler to include assembler code? I'm a newbie trying to write a program that will work with the system's timer, but when I try to run some lines of assembling code, the compiler tells me that in-line assembler is disallowed. I am using an old compiler but I don't know if the compiler is the problem. Is there any freely downloadable compiler that could accept assembler code without so much trouble? I am using the Turbo C compiler version 2.0 for the MS-DOS plattform

Answer: You should also be aware that not every language that has a compiler will support assembly language inline. And not every compiler, especially the free ones will support in-line assembly the same way. Best to check your documentation or search online for it. NOTE: You should also be made aware, if you aren't, that there are two styles of x86 assembly language syntax. Intel is the most widely known and AT&T is the other version, more familiar to *nix users. You should probably see if you're using a gcc compliant compiler with the 'as' assembler. If so, the problem may be you need the AT&T syntax conventions. I hope this helps. P.S. In future questions, give a few more details such as platform, compiler, language, etc. It'll get you a more precise answer.

Question: Is there anyone who works at home as an assembler? I want to work at home and assemble products but I can't find a ligitimate company to work for. Is there anyone with experience that can refer me to a good company? I have nothing to invest.

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Question: Code to convert Decimal to Binary to run on a PIC 16F84A microcontroller with MPLAB IDE assembler? I'm looking to convert a decimal number to a binary using a PIC 16F84A. Say for instance you input a number 17 in decimal, the output should indicate 0001 0001. I'm using the MPLAB IDE assembler. Thank you so much for the help!

Answer: here is a bunch of usefull routines. http://www.piclist.com/tecHREF/microchip/math/radix/index.htm One you need is http://www.piclist.com/tecHREF/microchip/math/radix/bcd2bin16.htm

Question: how can I convert a program from C to assembler? Please, if anyone knows...... I have to program a PIC microcontroller and I have the program written in C but i have to transform it in assembler

Answer: Just a thought, if you have the C project and can put it into Visual Studio then you can go to the properties, the output file section and have it create an Assembler listing for the source files. That may give you a step along the way.

Question: In which language is the Assembler itself written? OK, I know that the assembler takes assembly language (instructions like "add r0,r3") and turns it into machine language (instructions like 00010010110111), which the CPU implements through electric circuitry (Logic gates and stuff). So - in which programming language is THE ASSEMBLER ITSELF written? I'm not talking about the assembly language itself - I'm talking about the mechanism that takes assembly language and turns it into machine language... Thanks

Answer: The assembler itself can be written in any programming language. It all depends on what the author chooses. It is, after all, a standard I/O program: it takes "input" (the source file or files), and produces "output", the machine code.

Question: Assembler: When writing an interrupt handler, how do you find out the pointer to where execution was before? That's hard to fit in 110 characters... Background - I'm trying to write a very simple operating system. When an non-code generated interrupt (or code-generated, for that matter) occurs, which my operating system handles, how do I find out where code execution was before the interrupt? This is particularly important if I try to attemt a multi-tasking operating system - I'll be using the RTC (Real time chip) for switching, and my operating system will need to know where execution was at and store it, so it can switch back when it's that program's turn again. If you have any questions then please don't hesitate to message me.

Answer: On every calls the last address is stored in the actual STACK. When you process interrupts, you use the stack of the caller, so you should be able to read it out. I had a good book on it, but it was from library. :( Maybe you should try to Google for more details, this is all I know.