This is a two-part text about assembly language programming in the VAX/MACRO language. Unlike texts that are concerned solely with the assembly language itself, this addresses the design of assemblers, macroprocessors, and linkers. Part I focuses on the fundamentals of assembly language programming in the VAX/MACRO language. It is aimed at the beginning assembly language programmer, conforming with current ACM recommendations concerning these courses. Part II addresses the same subjects from a systems viewpoint, most especially assembler, macroprocessor, and linker design.

Detailed coverage of architecture/hardware topics such as CPU, microprocessors, large computer architecture and fault tolerance architecture makes this a valuable reference. For computer science and electrical engineering professionals as well as VAX assembly language programmers.

Architectural specifications can make for dry reading, but this volume should be of interest to at least three types of readers. Serious computer engineers specializing in machine design, application or systems programmers of VAX computers, and computer science or engineering students. This volume provides an example of a successful computer architecture, and how it should be documented. It is a complete description of the machine language interface for VAX computers. And it provides a case study in design and computer organization or assembly language programming.

A practical introduction to the VAX assembly language.

Takes a unique systems approach to programming and architecture of the VAX Using the VAX as a detailed example, the first half of this book offers a complete course in assembly language programming. The second describes higher-level systems issues in computer architecture. Highlights include the VAX assembler and debugger, other modern architectures such as RISCs, multiprocessing and parallel computing, microprogramming, caches and translation buffers, and an appendix on the Berkeley UNIX assembler.