The Best Assembly Language Book and How to Teach Yourself

Learning assembly language can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. The easiest way to understand assembler is by writing your own microprocessor assembler, such as for the 8085 Microprocessor. This hands-on approach has been a time-tested method that allows a deep understanding of the fundamentals. Whether you are a student or an aspiring engineer, this method is both practical and valuable.

Why Write Your Own Assembler?

Writing an assembler for a microprocessor like the 8085 is a doable and worthwhile project, especially if you have a background in C programming. Understanding the inner workings of assembly language becomes clearer when you implement it yourself. This not only enhances knowledge but also adds to your resume, making you a more attractive candidate for technical roles.

Where to Start: Emulators and Books

To kickstart your learning journey, it's essential to find the right tools. Start with a CPU emulator, such as a 8080 emulator, where you can write machine language and then study the corresponding assembly language. There are several emulators available online, and a simple search can provide you with a robust set of starting points.

Moving on to books, the literature on assembly language has evolved significantly over the decades. Many modern assembly language classes introduce the subject as an "introduction to computer architecture" rather than as a practical programming language. For a more practical and accurate learning experience, look for books from the 70s or early 80s. These texts were written when assembly languages were the primary high-performance programming options available.

Recommended Books

Several seminal books from that era are now available for free download. Don Lancaster's "MICRO COOKBOOK" and "Apple Assembly Cookbook" are strong candidates. Although I haven't personally read these books, they are highly regarded in the field. Other excellent choices include Barden's "Z80 Microcomputer Handbook," and microprocessor data sheets for PDP-11, Z80, 8051, PIC16, 8086, and 68000. These data sheets provide in-depth information on instruction sets and their usage, which is crucial for a deep understanding of assembly language.

In addition to these books, many magazines from the era, such as Byte, Popular Electronics, and Radio Electronics, have been digitized and are available online. These magazines often contain introductory articles and tutorials on assembly language programming, providing a wealth of learning material.

Modern Architectures and Their Challenges

While the original 8086 processor is still relevant today, modern architectures like ARM, MIPS, and x86 have veered away from assembly language as a primary focus. These architectures are optimized for compilers, making them more user-friendly for high-level programming. However, the instruction sets can be cumbersome and poorly documented for human programmers, making them less accessible and less practical for learning assembly language.

Despite these challenges, the hands-on approach of writing your own assembler remains the most effective way to understand the complexities of assembly language. Whether you are learning for personal enjoyment, educational purposes, or to boost your career prospects, the long-term benefits are well worth the effort.