Editing X86 assembly language (section)

{{Short description|Family of backward-compatible assembly languages}}
{{For|a specific list of x86 assembly language instructions|x86 instruction listings}}
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'''x86 assembly language''' is a family of [[Low-level programming language|low-level programming languages]] that are used to produce [[object code]] for the [[x86]] class of processors. These languages provide [[backward compatibility]] with CPUs dating back to the [[Intel 8008]] microprocessor, introduced in April 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Intel 8008 (i8008) microprocessor family|url=https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/8008/|access-date=2021-03-25|website=www.cpu-world.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Intel 8008|url=http://cpumuseum.jimdofree.com/museum/intel/8008/|access-date=2021-03-25|website=CPU MUSEUM - MUSEUM OF MICROPROCESSORS & DIE PHOTOGRAPHY|language=en-US}}</ref> As assembly languages, they are closely tied to the architecture's machine code instructions, allowing for precise control over hardware.

In x86 assembly languages, [[mnemonic]]s are used to represent fundamental CPU instructions, making the code more human-readable compared to raw [[machine code]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Intel 8008 OPCODES |url=https://www.pastraiser.com/cpu/i8008/i8008_opcodes.html |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=www.pastraiser.com}}</ref> Each [[mnemonic]]s corresponds to a basic operation performed by the processor, such as arithmetic calculations, data movement, or [[Control flow|control flow decisions.]]  Assembly languages are most commonly used in applications where performance and efficiency are critical. This includes [[Real-time operating system|real-time]] [[embedded system]]s, [[operating system|operating-system]] [[Kernel (operating system)|kernels]], and [[device driver]]s, all of which may require direct manipulation of hardware resources.

Additionally, [[compiler|compilers]] for [[High-level programming language|high-level programming languages]] sometimes generate assembly code as an intermediate step during the compilation process. This allows for optimization at the assembly level before producing the final machine code that the processor executes.