Search icon CANCEL
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Conferences
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
Mastering Assembly Programming
Mastering Assembly Programming

Mastering Assembly Programming: From instruction set to kernel module with Intel processor

eBook
$27.98 $39.99
Paperback
$48.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at $19.99p/m

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Mastering Assembly Programming

Setting Up a Development Environment

We are slowly approaching the point where we will be able to begin to actually deal with Assembly language itself--writing code, examining programs, solving problems. We are just one step away, and the step is setting up a development environment for Assembly programming.

Despite the fact that the assembler used in this book is a Flat Assembler (FASM), it is important to cover at least two other options and, therefore, in this chapter, you will learn how to configure three types of development environment:

  • Setting up a development environment for Windows-based applications using Visual Studio 2017 Community: This will allow the direct integration of Assembly projects with existing solutions
  • Installing GNU Compilers Collection (GCC): Although it is possible to use GCC on both Windows and *nix platforms, we will emphasize GCC usage on Linux
  • ...

Microsoft Macro Assembler

As the name of this assembler states, it supports macros and has a nice set of built-in ones. However, it is hard to find a more or less valuable assembler without this feature today.

The first assembler I ever used was Macro Assembler (MASM) (I do not remember which version) on DOS installed on a Sony laptop with 4-MB RAM and a 100-MB hard disk (ah, good old times), and MS-DOS edit.exe was the only IDE. Needless to say, the compilation and linking was performed manually in the command line (as if DOS had any other interface).

In my opinion, this is the best way to learn Assembly or any other programming language--just a simple editor with as few features as possible (however, syntax highlighting is a great advantage, as it helps in avoiding typos) and a set of command-line tools. Modern integrated development environments (IDEs) are very complex, yet...

GNU Assembler (GAS)

The GNU Assembler or GAS, or simply AS, is the most used assembler on *nix (Unix and Linux) platforms. While it is cross-platform (having the right build of GAS, we can compile Assembly code for a wide variety of platforms including Windows), flexible and powerful, it defaults to the AT&T syntax, which is, for those used to Intel syntax, weird, to say the least. GAS is free software released under the terms of GNU General Public License v3.

Installing GAS

GAS is distributed as part of the binutils package, but since it is the default backend for GCC (GNU Compilers Collection), it would be better if we install GCC. In fact, installing GCC instead of binutils alone will slightly simplify the creation...

Flat Assembler

Now that we have seen the complexities introduced by MASM and GAS, whether it is syntax or setup complexity, let's take a look at Flat Assembler, a free, portable, self-compiling assembler for Windows and Linux with Intel syntax (very similar to that of MASM, but much less complicated and much more understandable). Exactly the tool we need for easier and faster understanding of Intel Assembly language and usage thereof.

In addition to support for various executable file formats (DOS COM files to begin with, through Windows PE (both 32 bit and 64 bit) and up to ELF (both 32 bit and 64 bit)), FASM has a very powerful macro engine, which we will definitely take advantage of. Not to mention the fact that FASM can be easily integrated into existing development environments for more complex projects.

...

Summary

By now, we have reviewed three different assemblers: Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), this is an integral part of Visual Studio, GNU Assembler (GAS), this is the default backend for GNU Compilers Collection (GCC), Flat Assembler (FASM), this is a standalone, portable, flexible, and powerful assembler.

Although we will be using FASM, we may still refer to the other two from time to time, when the need arises (and it will).

Having an installed and working assembler, we are ready to proceed to Chapter 3, Intel Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), and start working with the Assembly language itself. There is a long road ahead, and we have not made the first step yet. In Chapter 3, Intel Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), we will go through the instruction set architecture of Intel processors, and you will learn how to write simple programs for both Windows and Linux, 32 and...

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon
Download code icon Download Code

Key benefits

  • Understand the Assembly programming concepts and the benefits of examining the AL codes generated from high level languages
  • Learn to incorporate the assembly language routines in your high level language applications
  • Understand how a CPU works when programming in high level languages

Description

The Assembly language is the lowest level human readable programming language on any platform. Knowing the way things are on the Assembly level will help developers design their code in a much more elegant and efficient way. It may be produced by compiling source code from a high-level programming language (such as C/C++) but can also be written from scratch. Assembly code can be converted to machine code using an assembler. The first section of the book starts with setting up the development environment on Windows and Linux, mentioning most common toolchains. The reader is led through the basic structure of CPU and memory, and is presented the most important Assembly instructions through examples for both Windows and Linux, 32 and 64 bits. Then the reader would understand how high level languages are translated into Assembly and then compiled into object code. Finally we will cover patching existing code, either legacy code without sources or a running code in same or remote process.

Who is this book for?

This book is for developers who would like to learn about Assembly language. Prior programming knowledge of C and C++ is assumed.

What you will learn

  • • Obtain deeper understanding of the underlying platform
  • • Understand binary arithmetic and logic operations
  • • Create elegant and efficient code in Assembly language
  • • Understand how to link Assembly code to outer world
  • • Obtain in-depth understanding of relevant internal mechanisms of Intel CPU
  • • Write stable, efficient and elegant patches for running processes

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Sep 27, 2017
Length: 290 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781787120075
Category :
Languages :

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want

Product Details

Publication date : Sep 27, 2017
Length: 290 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781787120075
Category :
Languages :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
$19.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
$199.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
$279.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total $ 152.97
Linux Device Drivers Development
$48.99
Mastering Linux Kernel Development
$54.99
Mastering Assembly Programming
$48.99
Total $ 152.97 Stars icon

Table of Contents

11 Chapters
Intel Architecture Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Setting Up a Development Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Intel Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Memory Addressing Modes Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Parallel Data Processing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Macro Instructions Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Data Structures Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Mixing Modules Written in Assembly and Those Written in High-Level Languages Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Operating System Interface Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Patching Legacy Code Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Oh, Almost Forgot Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Top Reviews
Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon 3.1
(8 Ratings)
5 star 25%
4 star 12.5%
3 star 37.5%
2 star 0%
1 star 25%
Filter icon Filter
Top Reviews

Filter reviews by




RPDevJesco Dec 13, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book covers all the main points of diving into the exciting world of assembly programming. I purchased the digital and physical copy of the book and wholeheartedly believe that it should be a book on every programmer's shelf.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Hamlet Solano Diaz Jan 25, 2020
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Complete
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Victor Jul 14, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon 4
This book gives an excellent introduction into low-level programming and assembly programming itself. It gives you just an idea of how everything works and so you'll not become a guru after reading this book, you'll just have something common in your mind, some idea you will be able to use later. There are another books with better quality of assembly programming teaching but this one is good for the beginners too.I liked it especially for this kind of introduction like "explain like I am five" - you'll not know everything in really low-level details but you'll be able to dive into it later. I also realized how this book is good after reading the "Low Level Programming" by Igor Zhirkov (Apress): you already know enough to read the latter one but the LLP is actually much more good in explaining details than the "Mastering Assembly Programming".As a summary, I'd suggest to start learning assembly programming from this book and then go to the "Low level programming" after.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Rui Craveiro Jan 24, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 3
This book is really complete, but it is better as a reference material than a learning tool. The author failed to take the reader's hand and spend much more time walking him through the fundamentals instead of providing all the broad details the book provides. I suspended reading it for a more pedagogical alternative, but I will get back to it once I already master the basics.
Feefo Verified review Feefo
DNAunion Dec 26, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 3
It don't particularly like the organization. I would prefer it to start in chapter 1 (after getting an environment setup) with the basic "Hello World" program, and build from slowly and clearly from there. Instead, it starts by listing Intel CPU registers in chapter 1. By chapter 3 the discussion is not so easy to follow: the text does not explain well but instead gives short statements, apparently assuming you have some preexisting knowledge of assembly. Again, a better approach would be to build slowly upon the foundation of "Hello World" - adding one or two new instructions along the way, and explaining what each new instruction does - instead of jumping into listings of CPU registers and then listings of the instruction set.I realize the book is titled MASTERING ... not BEGINNING ..., but the beginning of the book states, "This book is primarily intended for developers wishing to enrich their understanding of low-level proceedings, but, in fact, there is no special requirement for much experience, although a certain level of experience is anticipated."
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

How do I buy and download an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Where there is an eBook version of a title available, you can buy it from the book details for that title. Add either the standalone eBook or the eBook and print book bundle to your shopping cart. Your eBook will show in your cart as a product on its own. After completing checkout and payment in the normal way, you will receive your receipt on the screen containing a link to a personalised PDF download file. This link will remain active for 30 days. You can download backup copies of the file by logging in to your account at any time.

If you already have Adobe reader installed, then clicking on the link will download and open the PDF file directly. If you don't, then save the PDF file on your machine and download the Reader to view it.

Please Note: Packt eBooks are non-returnable and non-refundable.

Packt eBook and Licensing When you buy an eBook from Packt Publishing, completing your purchase means you accept the terms of our licence agreement. Please read the full text of the agreement. In it we have tried to balance the need for the ebook to be usable for you the reader with our needs to protect the rights of us as Publishers and of our authors. In summary, the agreement says:

  • You may make copies of your eBook for your own use onto any machine
  • You may not pass copies of the eBook on to anyone else
How can I make a purchase on your website? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

If you want to purchase a video course, eBook or Bundle (Print+eBook) please follow below steps:

  1. Register on our website using your email address and the password.
  2. Search for the title by name or ISBN using the search option.
  3. Select the title you want to purchase.
  4. Choose the format you wish to purchase the title in; if you order the Print Book, you get a free eBook copy of the same title. 
  5. Proceed with the checkout process (payment to be made using Credit Card, Debit Cart, or PayPal)
Where can I access support around an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • If you experience a problem with using or installing Adobe Reader, the contact Adobe directly.
  • To view the errata for the book, see www.packtpub.com/support and view the pages for the title you have.
  • To view your account details or to download a new copy of the book go to www.packtpub.com/account
  • To contact us directly if a problem is not resolved, use www.packtpub.com/contact-us
What eBook formats do Packt support? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Our eBooks are currently available in a variety of formats such as PDF and ePubs. In the future, this may well change with trends and development in technology, but please note that our PDFs are not Adobe eBook Reader format, which has greater restrictions on security.

You will need to use Adobe Reader v9 or later in order to read Packt's PDF eBooks.

What are the benefits of eBooks? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • You can get the information you need immediately
  • You can easily take them with you on a laptop
  • You can download them an unlimited number of times
  • You can print them out
  • They are copy-paste enabled
  • They are searchable
  • There is no password protection
  • They are lower price than print
  • They save resources and space
What is an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Packt eBooks are a complete electronic version of the print edition, available in PDF and ePub formats. Every piece of content down to the page numbering is the same. Because we save the costs of printing and shipping the book to you, we are able to offer eBooks at a lower cost than print editions.

When you have purchased an eBook, simply login to your account and click on the link in Your Download Area. We recommend you saving the file to your hard drive before opening it.

For optimal viewing of our eBooks, we recommend you download and install the free Adobe Reader version 9.