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  3. Is Assembly Language dead?

Is Assembly Language dead?

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hardwarealgorithmsperformancequestionlearning
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  • T tisaracorner

    That means if you can’t find a library for your immediate purpose you will make it in assembly language. Isn’t? What you feel its importance in developing new technologies like Bluetooth?

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    LittleYellowBird
    wrote on last edited by
    #16

    tisaracorner wrote:

    That means if you can’t find a library for your immediate purpose you will make it in assembly language. Isn’t?

    Not really, I would use assembly language only for small peices of code that I want to be ultra fast or ultra small or both. Remember that a complier turns each line of code into several lines of assembler. Sometimes, because the compiler does not have the specialist knowledge that the programmer has, it includes lines that are not required in that particular project. So by writing it myself in assembler I can keep my code to the absolute minimum ammount of machine instructions. I could even check the speed of various instructions and write the very fastest possible peice of code (that's good fun). But do not be fooled into thinking that all assembler is fast and small, even a medium sized project will be faster and smaller if written in a high level language. This is becasue a human cannot keep much code in their head at any one time, so their code quickly becomes as wasteful as a compilers, or even more so.

    tisaracorner wrote:

    What you feel its importance in developing new technologies like Bluetooth?

    I use Bluetooth, but I use other peoples code to control it and I have no idea if it is written in assembler - sorry. I just use their libraries. My embedded systems have to control hardware and it is often time critical - that's really the only use for assembler I have these days. If you would like to try a bit of assembler have a look at the company Microchip, they make PIC processors which are really easy to get up and running, you just need a crystal and a power supply and there is loads of development kit available for them. You could write a small application (like flashing an LED) in C then re-write it in assembler. But only do it if you want to for fun :-D

    Ali

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    • L leppie

      killabyte wrote:

      but on the other hand it is HORRID to maintain legay code that isnt yours.

      Hell is other people's code :)

      xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
      IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

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      K Offline
      killabyte
      wrote on last edited by
      #17

      oh my are you the luckiest SOB coder ever?!?!?! if you havent worked with others code then i want your job haha

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      • T TommyTomToms

        I've seen some +-300 ton presses programmed in assembly and Turbo Pascal so it would help to know it if you wanna go that route, However nowdays most stuff is controlled with PLC's that use FBD's... PS: Simatic S7 is a pain,

        N Offline
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        Nelek
        wrote on last edited by
        #18

        Quote: "PS: Simatic S7 is a pain" I second that ;)

        Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you “The First Rule of Program Optimization: Don't do it. The Second Rule of Program Optimization (for experts only!): Don't do it yet.” - Michael A. Jackson Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

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        • T tisaracorner

          In a scene computers have become fast to solve the performance issues. So why trouble ourselves in complexity of assembly language? But I sure it still has an importance in mission critical and real-time embedded systems. How much it is important in driver development and operating systems? So what you think, learning the assembly language would be foolishness?

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          B Offline
          benjymous
          wrote on last edited by
          #19

          One reason for the decline of assembler is the move from CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) to RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) Typically old CISC CPUs would have hundreds of instruction, wheras a RISC CPU has far fewer, so, as a fictional example, a RISC CPU might not have a multiply instruction, forcing you instead to add the number to itself multiple times to get the same result. This means the RISC assembly code for a simple operation is far longer, and far less readable that the equivalent CISC code. (Note that the current x86 chips are a sort of CISC-RISC hybrid, where it gets even more confusing...)

          Help me! I'm turning into a grapefruit! Buzzwords!

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          • K killabyte

            oh my are you the luckiest SOB coder ever?!?!?! if you havent worked with others code then i want your job haha

            L Offline
            L Offline
            leppie
            wrote on last edited by
            #20

            killabyte wrote:

            if you havent worked with others code

            Believe me I have/am, I try not to though ;P

            xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
            IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

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            • T tisaracorner

              In a scene computers have become fast to solve the performance issues. So why trouble ourselves in complexity of assembly language? But I sure it still has an importance in mission critical and real-time embedded systems. How much it is important in driver development and operating systems? So what you think, learning the assembly language would be foolishness?

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              V Offline
              vikrant kpr
              wrote on last edited by
              #21

              Assembly language can be helpful in cracking softwares etc the best tool i know is ollydbg ollydbg makes assembly really interesting

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              • T tisaracorner

                In a scene computers have become fast to solve the performance issues. So why trouble ourselves in complexity of assembly language? But I sure it still has an importance in mission critical and real-time embedded systems. How much it is important in driver development and operating systems? So what you think, learning the assembly language would be foolishness?

                CPalliniC Offline
                CPalliniC Offline
                CPallini
                wrote on last edited by
                #22

                George_George keeps it alive [^], [^]. :-D

                If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
                This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
                [My articles]

                In testa che avete, signor di Ceprano?

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                • T tisaracorner

                  In a scene computers have become fast to solve the performance issues. So why trouble ourselves in complexity of assembly language? But I sure it still has an importance in mission critical and real-time embedded systems. How much it is important in driver development and operating systems? So what you think, learning the assembly language would be foolishness?

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  Jorgen Sigvardsson
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #23

                  Learn it because it's fun, and gives you a deeper understanding about what is going on under the hood. Knowledge is never bad!

                  -- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit

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                  • C Christian Graus

                    tisaracorner wrote:

                    But I sure it still has an importance in mission critical and real-time embedded systems

                    I would never write a mission critical system in assembler, that would be moronic. Assembler is far more fiddly and more likely to need bug fixing. embedded systems, perhaps, if they are really low level hardware. I'd imagine the main thing that uses assembler would be compilers.

                    tisaracorner wrote:

                    So what you think, learning the assembly language would be foolishness?

                    Yeah, unless you have a need for it, and unless you already know a few higher level languages really well, I'd say it's probably a waste of time.

                    Christian Graus No longer a Microsoft MVP, but still happy to answer your questions.

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                    Jorgen Sigvardsson
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #24

                    Christian Graus wrote:

                    I'd imagine the main thing that uses assembler would be compilers.

                    Maybe this is a semantic issue, but a compiler generates (amongst other things) assembly code. There is little or no benefit in coding the compiler in assembly these days.

                    -- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit

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                    • CPalliniC CPallini

                      George_George keeps it alive [^], [^]. :-D

                      If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
                      This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
                      [My articles]

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                      L Offline
                      leppie
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #25

                      CPallini wrote:

                      George_George keeps it alive

                      I think he should get his own forum :) On the plus side, he does not ask stupid questions, just a helluva lot of them! ;P

                      xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
                      IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

                      CPalliniC P 2 Replies Last reply
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                      • CPalliniC CPallini

                        George_George keeps it alive [^], [^]. :-D

                        If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
                        This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
                        [My articles]

                        T Offline
                        T Offline
                        tisaracorner
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #26

                        You made me laugh in my office. I like your character :-D

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • CPalliniC CPallini

                          George_George keeps it alive [^], [^]. :-D

                          If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
                          This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
                          [My articles]

                          R Offline
                          R Offline
                          Rajesh R Subramanian
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #27

                          :laugh: And here[^] too.

                          Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself. - Cicero .·´¯`·->Rajesh<-·´¯`·. Microsoft MVP - Visual C++[^]

                          CPalliniC 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • T tisaracorner

                            Christian Graus wrote:

                            you already know a few higher level languages

                            I am experienced in few high level languages.

                            Christian Graus wrote:

                            unless you have a need for it

                            Not for any commercial purpose. To feel the happiness of create something :)

                            M Offline
                            M Offline
                            Mycroft Holmes
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #28

                            Surely you can find something more productive to do with your time. I imagine there are some small kudos with knowing assembler but I would think it has almost no commercial application. If you wrote something in assembler for a commercial app I would have you hung, drawn and quartered. Some poor bastard down the track has to support the app. So is it foolishness - absolutely!

                            Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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                            • T TommyTomToms

                              I've seen some +-300 ton presses programmed in assembly and Turbo Pascal so it would help to know it if you wanna go that route, However nowdays most stuff is controlled with PLC's that use FBD's... PS: Simatic S7 is a pain,

                              M Offline
                              M Offline
                              Mustafa Ismail Mustafa
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #29

                              TommyTomToms wrote:

                              Simatic S7 is a pain

                              Very much so.

                              Sig history "You're an idiot." John Simmons, THE Outlaw programmer "I realised that all of my best anecdotes started with "So there we were, pissed". Pete O'Hanlon Unix is a Four Letter Word, and Vi is a Two Letter Abbreviation

                              1 Reply Last reply
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                              • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

                                Learn it because it's fun, and gives you a deeper understanding about what is going on under the hood. Knowledge is never bad!

                                -- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit

                                T Offline
                                T Offline
                                tisaracorner
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #30

                                Accidentally I found Randall Hyde’s art of assembly language and made me think like this. I felt HLA is easy to learn.

                                P 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • L leppie

                                  CPallini wrote:

                                  George_George keeps it alive

                                  I think he should get his own forum :) On the plus side, he does not ask stupid questions, just a helluva lot of them! ;P

                                  xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
                                  IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

                                  CPalliniC Offline
                                  CPalliniC Offline
                                  CPallini
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #31

                                  leppie wrote:

                                  I think he should get his own forum

                                  Definitely.

                                  leppie wrote:

                                  On the plus side, he does not ask stupid questions

                                  I agree.

                                  leppie wrote:

                                  just a helluva lot of them!

                                  Without an apparent end (well he says it's for technical fun). :)

                                  If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
                                  This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
                                  [My articles]

                                  In testa che avete, signor di Ceprano?

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • R Rajesh R Subramanian

                                    :laugh: And here[^] too.

                                    Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself. - Cicero .·´¯`·->Rajesh<-·´¯`·. Microsoft MVP - Visual C++[^]

                                    CPalliniC Offline
                                    CPalliniC Offline
                                    CPallini
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #32

                                    :sigh: I should know something was missed :sigh: :-D

                                    If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
                                    This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
                                    [My articles]

                                    In testa che avete, signor di Ceprano?

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • T tisaracorner

                                      In a scene computers have become fast to solve the performance issues. So why trouble ourselves in complexity of assembly language? But I sure it still has an importance in mission critical and real-time embedded systems. How much it is important in driver development and operating systems? So what you think, learning the assembly language would be foolishness?

                                      P Offline
                                      P Offline
                                      Pawel Krakowiak
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #33

                                      I wonder what will happen when no one wants to learn assembler anymore and the people who know it today die of old age. :P Same goes for C, just in a more distant future. We have more and more high level languages (such as C#) which make the developers more productive and the coding experience is better, but those languages are also built on top of something else, i.e. there's always something below. Who will create the core parts when everyone deals with high level stuff?

                                      L 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • P Pawel Krakowiak

                                        I wonder what will happen when no one wants to learn assembler anymore and the people who know it today die of old age. :P Same goes for C, just in a more distant future. We have more and more high level languages (such as C#) which make the developers more productive and the coding experience is better, but those languages are also built on top of something else, i.e. there's always something below. Who will create the core parts when everyone deals with high level stuff?

                                        L Offline
                                        L Offline
                                        leppie
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #34

                                        Pawel Krakowiak wrote:

                                        I wonder what will happen when no one wants to learn assembler anymore and the people who know it today die of old age. [Poke tongue] Same goes for C, just in a more distant future. We have more and more high level languages (such as C#) which make the developers more productive and the coding experience is better, but those languages are also built on top of something else, i.e. there's always something below. Who will create the core parts when everyone deals with high level stuff?

                                        Sounds like it's straight from http://www.johntitor.com/[^] ;P

                                        xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
                                        IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

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                                        • T tisaracorner

                                          In a scene computers have become fast to solve the performance issues. So why trouble ourselves in complexity of assembly language? But I sure it still has an importance in mission critical and real-time embedded systems. How much it is important in driver development and operating systems? So what you think, learning the assembly language would be foolishness?

                                          E Offline
                                          E Offline
                                          Ennis Ray Lynch Jr
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #35

                                          Assembly for the masses has been dead for a long time, however it will likely never go away as it is crucial for underlying performance in graphics, compiler writing, and many systems oriented tasks.

                                          Need a C# Consultant? I'm available.
                                          Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. -- Ernest Hemingway

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