x86 Assembly Language FAQ

Supporting the
alt.lang.asm and comp.lang.asm.x86
Newsgroups

Table of Contents

• FAQ Version
• Description
• Download the FAQ as a .zip File
• Help
• FAQ Comments

FAQ Version (#Version)

The current version of the FAQ is 02 June 2004

This FAQ is posted monthly on or about the 21st of the month to the alt.lang.asm, comp.lang.asm.x86, news.answers, alt.answers and comp.answers newsgroups.

Description (#Description)

This is the x86 Assembly Language FAQ for the comp.lang.asm.x86 and alt.lang.asm newsgroups. Currently, this FAQ is broken into six sections. The following are the sections and the scope of each section of the FAQ.

To view a particular section of the FAQ, just click on the appropriate link. There are links in the Table of Contents to go to any other FAQ Section, and at the end of every document there is a link to return to the Table of Contents for that FAQ Section. Essentially, once you enter one of the FAQs in html format, you can navigate to any other FAQ Section. There are no links back to this page, though.

This is the basic portion of the FAQ that contains information of interest to all assembly language programmers. In general, the information contained in this portion of the FAQ is not specific to any particular assembler.

General (Part1) as Text
General (Part1) as HTML Document

General (Part2) as Text
General (Part2) as HTML Document

General (Part3) as Text
General (Part3) as HTML Document

This portion of the FAQ contains information specific for the Microsoft MASM.

Microsoft MASM as Text
Microsoft MASM as HTML Document

This portion of the FAQ contains information specific for the Borland TASM.

Borland TASM as Text
Borland TASM as HTML Document

This portion of the FAQ contains information specific for the Shareware A86 Assembler and D86 Debugger.

A86 as Text
A86 as HTML Document

The scope and content of this FAQ is to go beyond just answering the frequently asked questions. I am including pointers to assembly language treasure troves that are hidden out on the internet. I believe that this will enhance the FAQ's value not only to the novices but also to the old hands.

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Download the FAQ as a .zip File (#Download)

These .zip files may lag behind the above files slightly. The current date of these zip files: 03 Mar 2004

The entire FAQ as DOS text files is available to download as a .zip file. Download the zipped FAQ, under 65K in size.

The entire FAQ as HTML files is available to download as a .zip file. Download the zipped FAQ, under 65K in size.

Note: The above links is a symbolic link to most current FAQ. I have done this so that I do not have to update this page every month with a new file name in the link. This way, I can update the files in the background.

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Help (#Help)

Always Looking for FAQ Contributors

I am always looking for contributors to the FAQ. I you see a whole which you would like to fill, please e-mail me with your intensions. This e-mail notification allows me to get back to you if someone else already is working on that subject.

So as not to expand the FAQ to an unreasonable size, I would like to have more detailed discussions in files uploaded to SimTel or some other software repository. Then, the FAQ will have a short description and a URL link to the file.

Some areas that I know the FAQ is deficient are:

TSR Programming

I have not had a chance to get to this subject. I know that are some templates at SimTel. I have not done any TSR programming so I am not the best person to write this section.

Math Coprocessor Information

Besides a listing of instructions, I have not found much on the programming of the math coprocessors. The only thing I found was copro16a.zip at x2ftp.oulu.fi. I have three out of print books which is great for me but probably not very good for others. Does anyone know of further information, especially a tutorial, on using the math coprocessor.

Math Coprocessor Emulator Package

I have seen this question several times. It would be nice if someone knew where one was.

gas, the GNU assembler

I have a reference to some binary in the FAQ, and I believe that this is really poor. I believe that there is a DOS compatible version as part of DJGPP. I tried to determine what I needed to download to get this environment up and running but have failed. Does anyone have it up and running and can write something for the FAQ about it!

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FAQ Comments (#FAQ Comments)

Suggestions for additions, improvements, changes or comments concerning the FAQ are always welcome. They can be posted to either newsgroup, alt.lang.asm, comp.lang.asm.x86, or e-mailed directly to the me.

Since I am not all knowledgeable and do not have unlimited time, do not be surprised if I ask you to write your suggested topic for inclusion in the FAQ.

Thanks to Raymond Moon for the effort in which he created this FAQ.

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