Computer Architecture and Assembly Language

1. Course description

This course provides students with basic knowledge of Computer Architecture, those attributes that have direct impact on the logical execution of a program, the operational units and their interconnection that realize the architectural specifications, memory organization, addressing modes. understanding the stack frame when an assembly code is called from the high-level language program.

This course is also to provide a comprehensive introduction to programming in assembly language of x86-64 processors. The students will learn how a stack frame is organized when an assembly code is called from the high-level language program. They will learn how to debug an executable file with gdb.

2. Syllabus
Link to syllabus

3. References

- Lecture notes:

Nguyễn Đăng Quang, Computer Architecture and Assembly language, 2017

- References:

1. William Stallings, Computer Organization and Architecture, 9th Edition, Pearson Education, Prentice-Hall, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-0-13-293633-0

2. x86-64 Assembly LanguageProgramming with Ubuntu

3. nasm online:

https://www.jdoodle.com/compile-assembler-nasm-online

https://rextester.com/l/nasm_online_compiler

4. Time allocation:

• Chapter 0,1: session no. 1,2
  
• Chapter 2: session no. 3,4
  
• Chapter 3: session no. 5,6,7
  
• Chapter 4: session no. 8
  
• Chapter 5: session no. 9
  
• Chapter 6: sessions no. 10
  
• Chapter 7: sessions no. 11,12,13
  
• Chapter 8: sessions no. 14,15
  

5. Pedagogy and Grading
+ Pedagogy:
To motivate the student, then enhance cognitive development, students are required to read materials and watch the videos in advance at home. During class hours, students are recommended to ask answer questions, do exercises, practicing lab to clarify theoretical aspects of learning subjects.
+ Grading:
Formative assessment:

• 30% - quizzes after completing Chapters: [0,1], [3,4], [5,6,7]
• 10% - Bonus (class participation & contributions to Q&A activity on each section)
• 20% - Group presentation
• Memory types
  
• Cache mapping schemes
• Computer peripherals
• Intel x86-64 instruction set
• 50% - Final project (assembly programming) or Quiz

Link online: https://meet.google.com/inu-nmza-zit

Intro video: https://youtu.be/0cuEDbbTF5k

Chapter 0 videos: Part 1, Part 2

Lecture notes