Assembly Language Step-by-Step: Programming with Linux eBook: Jeff Duntemann: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Product Description

The eagerly anticipated new edition of the bestselling introduction to x86 assembly language

The long-awaited third edition of this bestselling introduction to assembly language has been completely rewritten to focus on 32-bit protected-mode Linux and the free NASM assembler. Assembly is the fundamental language bridging human ideas and the pure silicon hearts of computers, and popular author Jeff Dunteman retains his distinctive lighthearted style as he presents a step-by-step approach to this difficult technical discipline.

He starts at the very beginning, explaining the basic ideas of programmable computing, the binary and hexadecimal number systems, the Intel x86 computer architecture, and the process of software development under Linux. From that foundation he systematically treats the x86 instruction set, memory addressing, procedures, macros, and interface to the C-language code libraries upon which Linux itself is built.

Serves as an ideal introduction to x86 computing concepts, as demonstrated by the only language directly understood by the CPU itself
Uses an approachable, conversational style that assumes no prior experience in programming of any kind
Presents x86 architecture and assembly concepts through a cumulative tutorial approach that is ideal for self-paced instruction
Focuses entirely on free, open-source software, including Ubuntu Linux, the NASM assembler, the Kate editor, and the Gdb/Insight debugger
Includes an x86 instruction set reference for the most common machine instructions, specifically tailored for use by programming beginners
Woven into the presentation are plenty of assembly code examples, plus practical tips on software design, coding, testing, and debugging, all using free, open-source software that may be downloaded without charge from the Internet.

From the Back Cover

Learn assembly language, and you learn the machine

In this third edition of his bestselling guide to Intel x86 assembly language under Linux, Jeff Duntemann positions assembly not as unapproachable geek arcana but as a first programming language, suitable for readers who have no previous programming experience. As the fundamental language of the CPU, assembly lays the groundwork for all other programming languages, especially native–code C, C++, and Pascal. By mastering assembly, programmers will learn how x86 computers operate all the way down to "the bare silicon," at a level of detail that no other approach can equal.

Assembly Language Step by Step, Third Edition, helps you:

Review the fundamental concepts behind computing and programming, including the hexadecimal and binary number bases
Understand the evolution of the Intel CPUs and how modern x86 processors operate
Grasp the process of programming itself, from editing source code through assembly, linking, and debugging
Comprehend x86 32–bit protected–mode memory addressing
Learn the x86 instruction set by dissecting numerous complete example programs
Work with the wealth of free programming utilities under Ubuntu Linux, including the Kate editor, the NASM assembler, and the GNU toolset
Master practical details of Linux programming, including procedures, macros, the INT 80h call gate, and calls to the standard C libraries

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

Awesome Introduction to Assembly Language on Linux 7 Jun 2010

By Daniel Woods

Format:Paperback

Definitely a first book for assembly language programming, this is a valuable and gentle introduction that's useful new and seasoned programmers alike (the latter will want to skip or skim read some of the early chapters, particularly Chapter 2's coverage of different number bases). By the time you tackle the first actual program, you've read enough to feel confident in understanding what's going on. The later chapters are well paced, progressing through memory addressing, the stack layout for Linux processes, debugging, calling functions written in C, and brief coverage of the GNU assembler syntax (the Intel syntax used by NASM is used elsewhere).

What you won't find is much material on optimisation, or exhaustive coverage of the x86 instruction set. Neither are appropriate for the introductory level of this book, and its focus remains clear as a result.

If there was one thing that I'd like to have seen, it'd be calling assembly language routines from C, but it's a reasonable omission given that it's a book on assembler and not C.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Very interesting and a perfect start to assembly programming. 7 Feb 2011

By oliver

This is a grate book for anyone starting to learn assembly language. I am a computer science student and therefore have to do a lot of academic reading, This is by far the most informative and captive educational book I have read in a long time. There are bits in it that could have been left out, for example setting up a development environment but I have been using Linux and programming in C for years, so maybe its just me.

Well Recommended!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Tries to simplify, gets it totally wrong! 20 Jan 2012

By J. Davies

I love Linux. I'm interested in Assembly. I didn't want an overly complex book. What could go wrong?

Consider this book also aims at teaching people assembly as their first programming language.

The authors tone, his prose, his everything, is way too chatty. You can't absorb it all because it's way too much "fluff", and he drifts way too far from fact. This builds up into paragraphs, pages, and even chapters of unnecessary baggage. If you actually know a little about computers, you're told to skip the first 3-4 chapters.

- worst analogy of program flow and 'recipe' I've ever seen in a book. It actually makes things more complex, all that waffling on.
- author explains binary and hexadecimal via pages and pages on his own made up system "foobidty", "foobidtyfoo".
- will make you feel you're not getting anywhere, as it's like reading a novel.
- you don't actually get to do anything until about half way through the book.
- you'll read pages and pages of worthless information that amount to nothing

Ultimately enduring the authors long-winded explanations on concepts will leave you wanting to cry, even if you are a true beginner on programming and computers in general. You'll find yourself having to concentrate more on long-winded analogies, reading half of the book before you even write something in assembly, and then enduring the latter half with the same waffle will make you want to end it all.

I recommended reading the preview here on amazon or the author's site before picking this up.