Assembly Language Using the Raspberry Pi: A Hardware Software Bridge

Assembly Language Using the Raspberry Pi: A Hardware Software Bridge

<p>Programmers learn by example and develop their skills by examining and modifying working programs. <em>Assembly Language Using the Raspberry Pi</em> is a complete tutorial that provides working example programs to introduce the novice to both CPU hardware and professional software development methods.</p> <ul> <li>Each of the 20 chapters begins with a complete sample program to examine and test, followed by a description explaining the programming techniques and instructions that are introduced.</li> <li>The first program is only 5 lines of code while later ones consist of over 100 lines.</li> <li>Every sample program is complete, but leaves room for enhancements and experimentation encouraged by the questions at the end of each chapter.</li> <li>ARM processor instructions and features are introduced as needed to implement the increased complexity in programming techniques.</li> <li>There is an emphasis on program structure and design patterns that facilitate developing maintainable code (i.e., no spaghetti code).</li> <li>The sample programs are documented both in flow diagrams and in comments.</li> <li>Over 100 illustrations are included to explain programming techniques as well as ARM and floating point instructions.</li> <li>Floating point format and instructions are covered extensively, but gradually introduced through a series of seven chapters covering IEEE 754, VFPv3, and NEON.</li> <li>Background material on subjects like binary, two's complement, and hexadecimal appear in fourteen appendices for those who need it, without getting in the way of programmers who don't.</li> <li>This book has been "classroom tested" with students having very little if any previous programming experience. The information is complete, allowing it to also be used as an independent study.</li> <li>All system and utility software used in the book is included in the standard Raspian Linux distribution intended to be used with the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3.</li> </ul> <p>Assembly language is the computer programming language closest to a computer's "machine code language." Learning to program in assembly language is an excellent practical "hands-on" introduction to the details of computer architecture. Although applications and systems software written in assembly language were once common, assembly language is now primarily a bridge of understanding between computer architects and software developers.<br /> </p>