An Assembly Language Introduction to Computer Architecture

Assembly Language Programming is based on the Pentium architecture. Students learn how computers work through a clear, generic presentation of a computer architecture; a departure from the traditional focus on a specific architecture. A computer's capabilities are introduced within the context of software, reinforcing the software focus of the text. The author takes a top-down approach, facilitating an understanding of the motivation behind compute architecture design and enabling students to begin programming immediately and to understand the assembly language, the interface between hardware and software. The text includes examples from the Intel Pentium architecture.