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some cleanup to the main README

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README.md
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@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ language *and* assembly language is nothing to be scared about.
## For Whom Is This Book Intended? ## For Whom Is This Book Intended?
As mentioned, if you are already familiar with C (or languages descended As mentioned, if you are already familiar with C (or languages descended
from C), this book begins with what you already know. Later chapters from C such as C++), this book begins with what you already know. Later
dive more deeply into the corners and recesses of the ARM V8 ISA and are chapters dive more deeply into the corners and recesses of the ARM V8
suitable for those wishing to master the rich instruction set of the 64 ISA and are suitable for those wishing to master the rich instruction
bit ARM processors. set of the 64 bit ARM processors.
## Can This Book Be Used In Courses Covering Assembly Language? ## Can This Book Be Used In Courses Covering Assembly Language?
@ -23,15 +23,14 @@ Yes, absolutely.
In fact, we would argue that the study of assembly language is extremely In fact, we would argue that the study of assembly language is extremely
important to the building of competent software engineers. Further, we important to the building of competent software engineers. Further, we
would argue that teaching the x86 instruction set is cruel would argue that teaching the x86 instruction set is cruel as that ISA
as that ISA was born in the 1970s and has simply gotten more muddled was born in the 1970s and has simply gotten more muddled with age.
with age.
The MIPS instruction set is another ISA that is often covered in College The MIPS instruction set is another ISA that is often covered in College
level courses. While kinder and gentler than the x86 ISA, the MIPS level courses. While kinder and gentler than the x86 ISA, the MIPS
processor isn't nearly as relevant as the ARM family. Phones, tablets, processor isn't nearly as relevant as the ARM family. Phones, tablets,
laptops and even desktops contain ARM V8 processors making the study of laptops and even desktops contain ARM V8 processors making the study of
the ARM ISA far more topical. the ARM ISA far more topical. Perhaps even more "cool".
## Calling Convention Used In This Book ## Calling Convention Used In This Book
@ -43,8 +42,10 @@ conventions. This means:
* You will need to run a ARM Linux VM on the Macintosh - even on * You will need to run a ARM Linux VM on the Macintosh - even on
ARM-based Macs. Why? Apple. That's why. ARM-based Macs. Why? Apple. That's why.
* You will need to run WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) on ARM-based * You will need to run WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) on ARM-based
Windows machines. Windows machines. These do exist!
* You will need to run an ARM Linux VM on x86-based Windows machines. * You will need to run an ARM Linux VM on x86-based Windows machines.
## A Lot of Names ## A Lot of Names
@ -52,10 +53,15 @@ conventions. This means:
As commendable as the ARM designs are, ARM's naming conventions for As commendable as the ARM designs are, ARM's naming conventions for
their Intellectual Properties are horrid. In this book, AARCH64 and ARM their Intellectual Properties are horrid. In this book, AARCH64 and ARM
V8 are taken to be synonyms for the 64 bit ARM Instruction Set V8 are taken to be synonyms for the 64 bit ARM Instruction Set
Architecture (ISA). Architecture (ISA). It is very difficult to find documentation at the
ARM site because they have *so many versions*.
## Section 1 - Bridging from C / C++ to Assembly Language ## Section 1 - Bridging from C / C++ to Assembly Language
We start by providing what we're calling "bridging" from C and C++ to
assembly language. We use the knowledge you already have to learn new
knowledge - how cool is that!
| Chapter | Content | | Chapter | Content |
| ------- | ------- | | ------- | ------- |
| 1 | [Hello World](./section_1/hello_world/README.md) | | 1 | [Hello World](./section_1/hello_world/README.md) |
@ -83,6 +89,10 @@ Architecture (ISA).
## Section 2 - Floating Point ## Section 2 - Floating Point
Floating point operations use their own instructions and their own set
of registers. Therefore, floating point operations are covered in their
own section:
| Chapter | Content | | Chapter | Content |
| ------- | ------- | | ------- | ------- |
| 10 | Floating Point | | 10 | Floating Point |
@ -97,6 +107,8 @@ Architecture (ISA).
## Section 3 - Bit Manipulation ## Section 3 - Bit Manipulation
What would a book about assembly language be without bit bashing?
| Chapter | Content | | Chapter | Content |
| ------- | ------- | | ------- | ------- |
| 11 | Bit Fields | | 11 | Bit Fields |
@ -104,7 +116,7 @@ Architecture (ISA).
| .... b | [.... With Bit Fields](./section_3/bitfields/with.md) | | .... b | [.... With Bit Fields](./section_3/bitfields/with.md) |
| .... c | [.... Review of Newly Described Instructions](./section_3/bitfields/review.md) | .... c | [.... Review of Newly Described Instructions](./section_3/bitfields/review.md)
## Section 3 - More Stuff ## Section 4 - More Stuff
| Chapter | Content | | Chapter | Content |
| ------- | ------- | | ------- | ------- |
@ -112,7 +124,11 @@ Architecture (ISA).
## Projects ## Projects
[Here](./projects/README.md) are some project specifications to offer a challenge to your growing mastery. [Here](./projects/README.md) are some project specifications to offer a
challenge to your growing mastery.
The [DIRENT](./projects/DIRENT/README.md) project demonstrates how a
complex `struct` can be used in assembly language.
## About The Author ## About The Author