308-273A Assembler (original) (raw)
1 2 
308-273A Principles of Assembly Languages
Recent news and updates are listed below
Description
This course presents the fundamental concepts of assembler language programming and introduces computer archtecture. The C programming language is also used and serves as a vehicle to illustrate the relationship between high-level languages and the machine code that they lead to. A detailed list of specific topics is given below. Familiarity with a programming language, preferably Pascal or C, is assumed.
General Information
Instructor: Professor G. Dudek,
School of Computer Science.
Office hours: Tues, Thurs at 2:45 - 3:45 419 McConnell Building; meetings at other times by appointment. Telephone: 398-4325.
Class email account: cs273@cs.mcgill.ca
**Class web page:**http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/\~dudek/273.html
Frequently asked questions and assignment tips:FAQ
TA information
Teaching Assistants :
Ioannis Relkeitis (Yiannis) 
(yiannis@cs.mcgill.ca)
Office hours: M/W 13:30-14:30 at 426 McConnell Eng. bldg.
and
Eric Bourque 
Office hours: T/Th 10:30-11:30 in MC436
Prerequisites:
308-202 or 308-250
Texts
- A. Clements, "68000 Family Assembly Language", PWS Press, 1993.
- B.W. Kernighan and D.M. Ritchie, "The C Programming Language", Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, 1989.
Additional reference texts
- W.Ford and W. Topp, "The MC 68000 Assembly Language and Systems Programming", D.C. Heath and Company, Toronto, Second Edition, 1992. This was the text last year and provides essentially complete coverage of the course content but with a different, and in my opinion less coherent, sequencing and emphasis.
- L. L. Wear, T. R. Pinkert, et. al., "Computers: An Introduction to Hardware and Soft- ware Design", McGraw-Hill, 1991. This text goes into more detail on certain hardware-specific issues.
- A.S. Tanenbaum, \Structured Computer Organization", Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, 1990 (3rd Edition)
Evaluation
Assignments: 25%
Quiz : 5%
Mid-term Examination : 20% (Oct. 14th)
Final Examination : 50%
Assignments
Assignments involve programming in C and MC68020 Assembly Language on Sun-3 Machines using UNIX. Some, but not all, assignments may be accomplished on other machines such as a home computer. Note that the text by Clements includes a 68000 simulator that can be used on a DOS-compatible machine or a Mac running SoftPC. Mac users can also use native environments, such as CodeWarrior (available at the computer store) for some, but not all their, programming work.
The simulator, however, is not sufficient to allow students to complete their assignment!
An introduction to C will notbe offered as part of the course. A brief review will take place, but students must be able to use C based on prior knowledge or out-of-class practice. Students in need of a C refresher should consider taking308-206 (programming techniques) which starts on Sept. 16th.
Recent news
- Here are the grades for assignment 4 and 5.
- As discussed in class, there will be a question-and-answer session in MC 437 Friday Dec 5th at 5:30 pm. I can only stay for one hour.
- Assignment 5 is available athttp://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~dudek/273/97-273A_assignment_5.html
- Assignment 4 was described in class. The specification is at:http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~dudek/273/97-273A_assignment_4.html
- The copies of assignment 2 which were submitted on time will be available as of Monday, November 10th at 1:00pm outside the TA's office. The late submissions will be marked shortly.
- Sample solution for assignment 2 is available by clicking here. Read the comments at the top.
- Assignment 3 is at:http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~dudek/273/97-273A_assignment_3.html
- For Assignment 2, you may want to check the FAQ at:http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~cs273/273faq.html
- Assignment 2 is now available. To assure you can implement it at home, the libraries discussed in class have been deleted and will not be used. The assignment is at:http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~dudek/273/97-273A_assignment_2.html
- While we try to make a x86 version of the library, the specification is assignment 2 is being delayed. It should be complete shortly. [97/10/1]
- Hardcopies (on paper) of your assignment should be deposited in the box outside the labs on the first floor of McConnell.
- The accounts for students in 273 should now be enabled to allow you to use the pentium lab.
- Assignment 1 is available at http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/-dudek/273-a1-97.html It is due Sept. 23rd.
- The midterm is scheduled for October 14th.