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Title: Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers (4th Edition) by Kip R. Irvine ISBN: 0-13-091013-9 Publisher: Prentice Hall Pub. Date: 25 July, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $88.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.69 (54 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers, 4th Ed.
Comment: This is a review for the Fourth Edition of Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers by Kip Irvine. This book has just been released.
I teach Assembly Language at a community college, and have used the third edition with much success. Matter of fact, I was so impressed by it that when Dr. Irvine asked if any of the current teachers who'd registered at his site wanted to review the fourth edition, which was still being written, I volunteered. The fourth edition is an organizational improvement on an already well-written book.
The first nine chapters cover what I need to teach for an introduction to Assembly Language, required by Computer Science departments for a major in that field. Engineering programs can teach introductory hardware using it as well, with the emphasis on different chapters.
The book starts with basic concepts of data representation and number-base conversions and moves on to the Intel IA-32 processor architecture. By the time we start to actually discuss Assembly Language in Chapter 3, the student understands why Assembly works the way it does. That's no small feat.
Unlike many Computer Science books purported to be for beginners, this one really is written for students near the beginning of their studies. It's aimed at those who have taken maybe one previous programming class. Dr. Irvine has a knack for reducing a very complex topic to its elements and explaining those elements so they're easily understood.
It's possible to learn Assembly Language using this book alone, not taking a formal class, even though the text isn't really designed to be a Teach Yourself program. Assembly Language is a rather difficult topic, so the student would have to be very motivated.
Instead of having a series of review questions at the ends of the chapters, this book has section reviews. This focuses the student on what was just read, reinforcing a smaller amount of data, so it sticks more easily. Students have access to answers to odd-numbered questions. For teachers who prefer to have students look in the textbook for the answers, the even-numbered questions cover material similar to what's asked by the odds. There are programming exercises at the ends of chapters, too.
The author maintains a web site for the book. There are sections for students who use the book and parts just for teachers. Odd-numbered problem answers are on the students' site. Security is maintained at the teachers' site. When I logged in, I found sample tests, PowerPoint presentations, and FAQ's, to name but some of it.
Rather than describe the contents of the book further, I'll give you the author's website. He has the complete table of contents posted, as well as a few sample chapters. Take a look for yourself. [URL].
I'm going to enjoy teaching from the Fourth Edition of Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers. I feel like I have a well-organized book that covers what I have to teach, so I don't need to design my course around several textbooks. There's plenty of supplemental material on the website, which saves me lots of my most precious commodity - time.
Rating: 4
Summary: Great first book if you've programmed before
Comment: Irvine's book attempts to cover Intel assembly language for computers either running DOS or a DOS emulator. If you have programmed before in languages such as C/C++, Java, or VB, this is an excellent first book. The CD that is included in the book supplies, among other things, libraries coded by the author providing functions for various types of IO, setting text color, clearing the screen, etc. Using these functions, Irvine first introduces you to data representation, basic elements of assembly language, manipulation of registers and runtime stack, and iteration. Then, he moves onto advanced arithmatic and procedures. After he has covered the basic means of manipulating data and writing programs with assembly, he exposes in the last three chapters the real bones of the language: system interrupts, video mode programming, BIOS, and the like so that use of the libraries becomes unnecessary. Thus, the sequence of the book is ideal if you understand the fundamentals of computer programming but are unfamiliar with assembly language.
However, if you have not programmed before, Irvine's book might give you an awkward understanding of the language. You would probably be better off with something that focuses more on system interrupts and real-address programming initially, instead of bringing it up at the end. The order of the book makes sense if you have a basic knowledge of programming because it first forms analogues with concepts you are already familiar with, and then introduces the core aspects of interacting with the system which were previously hidden in his libraries. However, if this is all new to you, a book that gives a greater understanding of computer architecture and doesn't use his libraries would be more suitable.
While the DOS slant may have bothered some, I prefer that he focused on one OS rather than trying to cover all of them. In addition, the CD that came with the book included a DOS emulator for Linux. I'd also like to add that this is one of the most up-to-date assembly language books I've seen. Overall, I'd recommend it if you've programmed before, but are new to assembly.
Rating: 5
Summary: Definitely useful book
Comment: There is not such thing as "all-in-one" book. This book is not exception. But you will enjoy it, thanks to the author. For pretty coding style, for IA-32 protected mode examples, for high-level assembly features introduced and more.
Not at last, the book is well organized textbook and suitable for intermediate level assembly and computer architecture courses.
You can begin develop your own protected mode assembly code with this book and Negatory Assembly Studio as well in hands.
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Title: Assembly Language Step-by-step: Programming with DOS and Linux (with CD-ROM) by Jeff Duntemann ISBN: 0471375233 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 24 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $55.00 |
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Title: Introduction to 80X86 Assembly Language and Computer Architecture by Richard C. Detmer ISBN: 0763717738 Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Publishers Pub. Date: 01 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $84.95 |
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Title: Hacker Disassembling Uncovered by Kris Kaspersky, Natalia Tarkova, Julie Laing ISBN: 1931769222 Publisher: A-List Publishing Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: The Art of Assembly Language by Randall Hyde ISBN: 1886411972 Publisher: No Starch Press Pub. Date: September, 2003 List Price(USD): $59.95 |
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Title: 80X86 IBM PC and Compatible Computers: Assembly Language, Design, and Interfacing, Vols. 1 and 2, Fourth Edition by Muhammad Ali Mazidi, Janice Mazidi Gillispie, Janice Gillispie Mazidi, Muhammad A. Mazidi, Janice Catherine Gillispie-Mazidi ISBN: 013061775X Publisher: Prentice Hall Pub. Date: 21 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $115.00 |
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