4 replies to this topic

[IlikeProgramming]

Well, I have a doubt about nasm and assembly. Surely it will be a stupid thing, and I fell embarrassed to post it. But i need to know.

If I am programming in assembly, why do I need a compiler like nasm?? In theory, a compiler translates a source code in a high level language (like C), into assembly instructions, doesn't it? So why do I need a compiler to programming assembly?

Many thanks to all. And sorry for the stupid question!!

[mebob]

Actually, it is called an assembler. When you use a C compiler, it translates C into assembly, then an assembler translates the assembly into machine code. So you are not using a compiler for assembly.

[IlikeProgramming]

Many thanks mebob, I have understood you. But one other issue. I'have just begin to program in assembly in Linux, with nasm. But you said "When you use a C compiler, it translates C into assembly, then an assembler translates the assembly into machine code". So, before install nasm, I had an assembler, when I programmed in C. Why do I have to download an assembler, like nasm, when I've just installed another assembler?

[Alexander]

IlikeProgramming said:

Many thanks mebob, I have understood you. But one other issue. I'have just begin to program in assembly in Linux, with nasm. But you said "When you use a C compiler, it translates C into assembly, then an assembler translates the assembly into machine code". So, before install nasm, I had an assembler, when I programmed in C. Why do I have to download an assembler, like nasm, when I've just installed another assembler?

The compiler you have is most likely GCC ,which stands for GNU Compiler Collections. GNU includes a assembler named "as", which you should be able to use, but it is in a much different format than NASM. So you may want to just stick with NASM instead of learning a less documented syntax.

Edited by Alexander, 07 November 2010 - 08:36 PM.

[IlikeProgramming]

Ok, Many thanks to all, and sorry for my stupids questions. I want to learn!!! see you!