BKASLNSS.RVW   20020718

"Assembly Language Step-by-Step", Jeff Duntemann, 2000, 0-471-37523-3,
U$49.99/C$77.50
%A   Jeff Duntemann www.duntemann.com 
%C   5353 Dundas Street West, 4th Floor, Etobicoke, ON   M9B 6H8
%D   2000
%G   0-471-37523-3
%I   John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
%O   U$49.99/C$77.50 416-236-4433 fax: 416-236-4448
%P   613 p. + CD-ROM
%T   "Assembly Language Step-by-Step, Second Edition"

Chapter one is an excellent explanation of what programming
(especially low level programming) is, by analogy to a "to do" list
and a board game.  Numbering and arithmetic in binary, octal, and
hexadecimal is thoroughly demonstrated (with added practice!) in
chapter two.  Basic computer architecture is dealt with in chapter
three.  The pointers to emulators of old style computers may be
useful, as well as interesting: it is much easier to program in
machine language on the old kit computers than it is on modern
machines with layers of interfaces.  Chapter four covers the
fundamental concepts and activities of assembly programming.

Chapter five lists the commands and functions of the NASM-IDE
development environment and editor provided on the CD-ROM.  DOS
program file structures are explained somewhat vaguely in chapter six. 
DEBUG, and its various operations, is put through its paces with some
simple opcodes in chapter seven.  Chapter eight lists a simple
assembly language program and explains the various parts.  Procedures
and libraries are dealt with in chapter nine.  The introduction of
actual opcodes and commands starts in chapter ten with logical and
bit-wise operations.  Chapter eleven demonstrates some string (and
looping) commands.

Chapter twelve moves from DOS into Linux, and covers the programming
tools most useful in that operating system.  Differences in system
calls and the assembler format initiate chapter thirteen, which then
goes on (at considerable length) with sample code that works in the
Linux system.  A final chapter points at resources for further
explorations and work in assembly programming.

This complete and detailed work does take the novice, with no previous
programming assumed, through the basics to the point that the reader
can start the process of discovery.  It is readable (and funny enough
to keep you going through the dry parts), provides all the necessary
bits (sorry) including software, and is an excellent introduction for
anyone wanting to find out what programming "down to the metal" is all
about.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2002   BKASLNSS.RVW   20020718