Hello, /prog/. I'm interested in learning to program in assembly, specifically for the M68k. Unfortunately, all of the texts I've attempted to read on the subject are targeted at people who already know how to program in another platform's assembly language. As a result, even though I understand the basic concepts of registers, instructions, memory addresses, and such, I'm left staring at my screen with my mind boggled.
Are there any texts out there for teaching M68k assembly to people who can program in higher level languages, but have no experience in assembly? Something like that would help me out a lot.
I've also heard that it's better to pick up a book on x86 assembly, some of which are apparently more targeted towards beginners, then figure out other assembly languages from there. Would this be the better course of action, and if so, what books would /prog/ recommend?
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Anonymous2010-02-07 17:47
>>1
To learn assembly you need to know assembly.
Want to know how to break this endless cycle? Read SICP now!
>>1
Assembly is easy.
If you already understand registers, instructions, memory layout, and the architecture of your OS, then you already know assembler for that platform, unless your question is: "How do I write useful programs for that arch?" The answer to that question is to learn the OS as well, unless you plan on writing something more low-level, learn calling conventions and have an idea how high-level idioms translate to low-level ones.
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Anonymous2010-02-08 1:37
Art of Assembly is pretty good. Though once you pick up the basics you'll mostly use the Programmer's Reference Manual, still have mine, dated 1992.
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Anonymous2010-02-08 3:00
Assembly is easy.
The use mnemonics puts people into the wrong mindset, though.
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Anonymous2010-02-08 9:39
>>5
Damn right, back in the day, we punched in opcodes in hex, and we liked it. Kids these days don't understand efficiency.
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Anonymous2010-02-08 9:43
>>6
Sure we do. Computer cycles are cheap. Today, it's all about efficient programmer time.
Hello /prog/. I'm interested in learning to write a scripting language, specifically for the .NET platform. Unfortunately, all of the texts I've attempted to read on the subject are targeted at people who already know how to create and use complicated grammars and deterministic finite automata states. As a result, even though I understand the basic concepts of LALR parsing, DFA, rules, and such, I'm left staring at my screen with my mind boggled.
Are there any texts out there for teaching grammar creation to people who can program in higher level languages, but have no experience in grammar creation? Something like that would help me out a lot.
I've also heard that it's better to pick up a book on compiler writing, some of which are apparently more targeted towards beginners, then figure out grammar creation from there. Would this be the better course of action, and if so, what books would /prog/ recommend?
>>17
Whoa, buddy! Slow down there. You're making your syntax too complicated. Just do it Lisp-style or Forth-style and save everyone involved a headache.
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Anonymous2010-02-08 23:48
Hello Dickie, I'm interested in becoming an artist, specifically for the purpose of game development. Unfortunately, all of the methods I've attempted to implement on the subject are targeted at scientists who already know how to formulate and use complicated hypotheses and rational conclusions supported by empirical observations. As a result, even though I understand the basic ideas behind the interactive generation, delivering innovative concepts, and turning a notoriously bureaucratic process into something more instinctive, I'm left staring at my canvas with my mind boggled.
Are there any methods out there for imparting artistry on to people who can crack open a laptop, but have no experience in game development? Something like that would help me out a lot.
I've also heard that it's better to feel your way around an art form, then drag it by its throat to its apex from there. Would this be the better course of action, and if so, what would Dickie recommend?
I'd be interested in an answer as well, though I'm actually interested in learning assembly as a first language. I figure if those mathematologists from the 40s could do it, I can too.