BLOCK 4 INTRODUCTION

In the previous blocks, we have discussed about computer organizations, the number systems, memory and input output
organization, instruction set of a computer, addressing modes, the micro-operations and the control unit of a computer
system.
This block presents an example micro-processor, as an example of computer architecture. We will discuss the
microprocessor architecture and its programming. Our main emphasis would be on Intel 8086/ 8088 microprocessor. The
newer microprocessors may use the concepts covered for 8086 microprocessors.

This block is divided into four units. We start with the introduction to microprocessors, with special emphasis on 8086
microprocessors. Unit 1 also gives a brief introduction to the Instruction Set and the addressing modes of the 8086 micro-
processor. Taking this as the base, in Unit 2 we get on to the Introduction of Assembly Language Programming. In this
unit, we will also give a brief account of various tools required to develop and execute an Assembly Language Program.
In Unit 3, a detailed study of Assembly Language, its programming techniques along with several examples have been
taken up. Unit 4 presents a brief discussion on some of the advanced architectures.

This block gives you only some details about 8086 microprocessor and assembly language programming. For complete
details on this Intel series of microprocessors, you may refer to the further readings, given below. You may also study the
advanced architectures from the further readings given in Block 1.

FURTHER READINGS FOR THE BLOCK

1. IBM PC Assembly Language and Programming, Fifth Edition, Peter Abel.
2. Douglas V. Hall: Microprocessors and Interfacing – Programming and Hardware by – McGraw Hill – 1986.
3. Peter Norton & John Socha: Assembly Language book for IBM PC-Prentice Hall of India, 1989.
4. Yu-Cheng Liu, A. Gibson: Micro-computer Systems: The 8086/ 8088 family – Prentice Hall of India, 1986.
5. Douglas V. Hall; Microprocessors and Digital Systems 2/e, McGraw Hill 1986.
6. William B. Giles, Assembly Language Programming for the Intel 80xxx family, Maxwell Macmillan International
editions 1991.