[The Art of Assembly Language, 2nd Edition] [By: Hyde, Randall] [March, 2010]

by Randall Hyde

Assembly is a low-level programming language that's one step above a computer's native machine language. Although assembly language is commonly used for writing device drivers, emulators, and video games, many programmers find its somewhat unfriendly syntax intimidating to learn and use.Since 1996, Randall Hyde's The Art of Assembly Language has provided a comprehensive, plain-English, and patient introduction to 32-bit x86 assembly for non-assembly programmers. Hyde's primary teaching tool, High Level Assembler (or HLA), incorporates many of the features found in high-level languages (like C, C++, and Java) to help you quickly grasp basic assembly concepts. HLA lets you write true low-level code while enjoying the benefits of high-level language programming.As you read The Art of Assembly Language , you'll learn the low-level theory fundamental to computer science and turn that understanding into real, functional code.You'll learn how –Edit, compile, and run HLA programs–Declare and use constants, scalar variables, pointers, arrays, structures, unions, and namespaces–Translate arithmetic expressions (integer and floating point)–Convert high-level control structuresThis much anticipated second edition of The Art of Assembly Language has been updated to reflect recent changes to HLA and to support Linux, Mac OS X, and FreeBSD. Whether you're new to programming or you have experience with high-level languages, The Art of Assembly Language, 2nd Edition is your essential guide to learning this complex, low-level language.

Genres: Programming, Computer Science, Technology, Reference, Nonfiction, Technical, Hackers

Unknown Binding

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Fotis Koutoulakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm confused with this book. It's a book that presents some topics about writing assembly, and how an x86 system works, but it reads more as a tutorial of a language called HLA, for High Level Assembly, that the author wrote.

The purpose of teaching that language is that it's supposed to ease your transition into (very) low level languages, and serve you when you try to write assembly programs, so that you can hit the ground running faster.

The thing is however, that today very few programmers need to write in Assembly (mostly Compiler Engineers, Operating System Developers, Optimization/Performance Engineers, Embedded Software Engineers, etc), and those are better suited with just learning assembly proper. Using another thin abstraction layer over it doesn't make much sense to me, especially so when you can use C as one.

[Fadi Abusnaineh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best references out there, if you want to write a better assembly programs, then this is your guidance.
I really enjoyed reading this book, starts from simple logic rules explanation and gos through operations on binary, hexadecimal and decimal coding systems. with no time you will understand how to write and review your code.
Thank you Randall Hyde.

[Brian Tabone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction by way of a macro language that interfaces with assembly. You'll learn good foundational information along with the convenient built in HLA macros long before you hit the nitty gritty of x86 assembly but it is a good book overall.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan. He invented his own high-level language (HLA) and teaches that instead of actual x86_64 Assembly for most of the book. It could be good but I’d rather learn a real language than a purely pedagogical one. Also, I have a background with other languages, including C, so perhaps I was not the target audience for this book.

[Syed Haider]

this book is good for beginners.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book to learn about assembly, and I was kind of disappointed because this book is more about the HLA language (which the author created) than pure assembly language. I read another book (Assembly Language Step-by-Step: Programming with Linux) afterwards and found it much more interesting for those who want to learn about how x86 systems work, for example.

[Anita Kuno]

I think this is the same book. Same author anyways. I'm reading an online version.

[Dan]

The Art of Assembly Language teaches programmers how to understand assembly language and how to use it to write powerful, efficient code. Using the proven High Level Assembler (HLA) as its primary teaching tool, The Art of Assembly Language leverages your knowledge of high level programming languages to make it easier for you to quickly grasp basic assembly concepts.