Course details
Machine level programming
ISU Acad. year 2015/2016 Summer semester 6 credits
Numeral systems: signed and unsigned integer binary representation, binary arithmetic, real numbers in the IEEE-754 format. Assembly language: assembler, basic functions of a central processing unit (CPU). Specific CPU architecture: registers, memory organization, addressing, interrupt system, coprocessors, instruction set and instruction format. Programming in assembler: common control structures, compilation and linking of the code. Relation to the high level programming languages: calling conventions, operating system services. Coprocessor: real number format, instruction set, programming of the floating point unit.
Guarantor
Language of instruction
Completion
Time span
- 39 hrs lectures
- 26 hrs pc labs
Department
Subject specific learning outcomes and competences
Students acquaint with one specific processor architecture. They learn how to use the most important instructions of the processor and its coprocessor, programming of the control structures and they develop learn to develop simple applications (compilation and linking). They learn about calling conventions, some basic operating system services and how to call them. They learn how to practically use this knowledge.
Students learn about processor architecture form the low level programming point of view, which is one of the very basic skills of an IT professional. They learn how to develop simple applications or libraries in assembler and how to connect them to high level programming language applications.
Learning objectives
To acquaint students with computer programming at the lowest level with focus at chosen processor architecture. To introduce and teach how to actively work with numeral systems, representation of the signed and unsigned numbers, arithmetic in the binary numeral system and representation of the real numbers. To familiarise with a specific processor architecture, its instruction format and addressing modes. To teach to actively work with the common control structures in assembler using given instruction set. To show connection of programming at low level and high level programming via libraries and operating system services. To teach how to use floating point unit to calculate with real numbers.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic knowledge of the C language programming.
Study literature
- Marek, R.: Assembler pro PC - učíme se programovat v jazyce, Computer Press, 2003, ISBN 80-7226-843-0
- Duntemann, Jeff. Assembly language step-by-step: programming with linux. 3rd ed. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2009. ISBN 978-0470497029.
- Intel® 64 and IA-32 architectures software developer’s manual combined volumes: 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 4. Webové stránky společnosti Intel [online]. [cit. 2022-01-06]. Dostupné z: https://www.intel.com/content/dam/develop/public/us/en/documents/325462-sdm-vol-1-2abcd-3abcd.pdf
- The Netwide Assembler: NASM, Quick reference Guide [online]. [cit. 2022-01-06]. Dostupné z: https://www.nasm.us/xdoc/2.15.05/nasmdoc.pdf
Fundamental literature
- Intel® 64 and IA-32 architectures software developer’s manual combined volumes: 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 4. Webové stránky společnosti Intel [online]. [cit. 2022-01-06]. Dostupné z: https://www.intel.com/content/dam/develop/public/us/en/documents/325462-sdm-vol-1-2abcd-3abcd.pdf
- The Netwide Assembler: NASM, Quick reference Guide [online]. [cit. 2022-01-06]. Dostupné z: https://www.nasm.us/xdoc/2.15.05/nasmdoc.pdf
Syllabus of lectures
- Introduction, numeral systems, number specification, binary arithmetic.
- Basic functions of a processor, machine language, symbolic language, assembler.
- Processor architecture - registers, operand, instruction format, memory addressing, interrupts.
- Processor architecture - transfers, arithmetical and logical instructions.
- Processor architecture - shifts and rotations, control transfer.
- Processor architecture - other instructions.
- Mid-term written test.
- Basics of low level programming, elementary control structures.
- Functions and calling conventions.
- Modular programming, libraries, operating system services.
- Coprocessor FPU - architecture, real number format, instruction set.
- Coprocessor FPU - instruction set, programming, examples.
- Compiler for assembler - pseudoinstructions, directives, expressions, operators, operands and macros.
Syllabus of computer exercises
- Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for assemblers, compilation, linking and execution in a command line environment.
- Numeral systems (numeral system conversions), number representation (signed integers, real numbers).
- Hypothetical computer (programming and debugging in the IDE).
- Arithmetical and logical instructions, shifts, rotations.
- Test - programming of a simple mathematical problem in assembler.
- Jump instructions, essential control structures (if-then-else, while, do-while, for, switch-case).
- Memory operands (variables, arrays).
- Test - use of the essential control structures.
- Function calling and calling conventions.
- Calling of services and functions of the operating system, calling of functions from the high level language libraries.
- Test - simple application with a user command line input/output.
- Programming of the coprocessor (FPU).
- Test - using coprocessor (FPU).
Progress assessment
At least 20 points earned during semester.
To successfully pass the course students must earn at least 25 points from the final examination.
Controlled instruction
- Mid-Term written test
- Evaluation of activity in computer exercises
Course inclusion in study plans