Assembly Course Spotlight

What is Assembly?

Assembly language, often abbreviated asm, is a low-level programming language designed for a specific processor. An assembly language may be produced by compiling source code from a high-level programming language (such as C/C++), or it can be written from scratch. Assembly code is converted to machine code using an assembler¹ . This program translates combinations of mnemonics and syntax for operations and addresses modes into their numerical equivalents to create object code. This representation typically includes an operation code and other control bits and data. Additionally, an assembler calculates constant expressions and resolves symbolic names for memory locations and other entities.²

The term assembler is widely attributed to Wilkes, Wheeler, and Gill, who used the term in 1951 to refer to "a program that assembles another program consisting of several sections into a single program ".³

Can an Assembly course improve knowledge on the topics?

Yes, the introductory Assembly course will provide background and knowledge on the topics, even if one has no experience in Assembly programming language.

Why? Even if the course is beginner-level, one's understanding of Assembly language can be helpful, for example, when performing reverse engineering and malware analysis.

After watching the course, students should be able to:

• write Assembly programs (x86, ARM),
• read Assembly programs,
• understand different data representations (binary hex, 2's complement),
• understand how functions, stack, and data storage work.

Assembly allows programmers to create better algorithms than they can create exclusively using C, a high-level language. Nevertheless, the best reason and motivation for using assembly remains the speed.

Assembly language is used in the system's boot code, general blocks of data, and reverse engineering.

Which topics does the Assembly course cover? How consistent is the content with the course structure?

Following a structured outline, the Assembly course has a manageable scope of content, with lessons arranged logically.

The course consists of 4 modules and 93 lessons:

• Module 1: Basic Assembly – 15 lessons
• Module 2: Indirect Addressing, Stack, Arrays and Strings – 27 lessons
• Module 3: ARM Architecture – 25 lessons
• Module 4: C Constructs and Interrupts – 26 lessons

What content is utilized during the Assembly course?

Cybrary has prepared extra materials to understand better the key terms and concepts taught during the course. All of this content supports the learning process.

During the course presentation, the instructor used a slideshow with text and images, including definitions of the key concepts and numbered or bullet-point lists. Also, the instructor makes relevant references to external sources for further studies, such as standards and best practices.

Additional materials are available to download, such as:

• the syllabus and the outline of the course,
• a study guide,
• a glossary and
• other materials, such as figures and step-by-step guided instructions.

How long is the Assembly course? Does the course fit easily into a busy schedule? What pace was set for the course?

IT professionals attending this course should allow at least 13 hours and 15 minutes to complete this course. To start this course, students need a background in basic programming concepts and a Linux system.

Whether preferred to prepare on their timeframe or want the additional guidance and interaction with online instruction, students can make the best use of their time when studying.

Bonuses:

• Easy enrollment, just follow the link and click "Register".
• Customer support for the online course.
• Teacher interaction is optional (i.e., not mandatory).
• The course can be rewatched at any time.
• This course worth up to 14 CPE/CEU.

Sources:

1. Link: https://techterms.com/definition/assembly_language
2. Link: http://www.davidsalomon.name/assem.advertis/asl.pdf
3. Wilkes, Maurice Vincent; Wheeler, David John; Gill, Stanley J. (1951). The preparation of programs for an electronic digital computer (Reprint 1982 ed.). Tomash Publishers. ISBN 978-0-93822803-5.