Assembly language programming in unix environment

[Colin Law]

2009/9/20 freeburn <hossain at finder-lbs.com>:
> i don't think there is a better way to understand the microprocessor
> without assembly language. yes it's too processor specific, but still
> without understanding assembly, microprocessor will not be fully
> understood. next semester i will have an OS course. As far as i know
> it's very important to understand the processor if the kernel has to be
> understood. whatever i still think in small low level device related
> application will be more efficient if they are wrote in assembly. in low
> level applications only other choice i have is "c"(java/python is
> useless here), so why not a little assembly if it executes 50% faster
> than the fastest high level language "c"?

It is true that assembly language is still used in some embedded
microprocessor based equipment.  I guess this may be the case in such
items as washing machines, processors in automobiles and so on.  In
addition it may still be used in some very time critical applications.
 It is becoming increasing rare in other applications, C++ and Linux
are increasing the choice for industrial instrumentation and control
systems containing embedded processors for example.  Key reasons for
this are time to market and s/w development and maintenance costs.
I am not familiar with the kernel code or device drivers but I doubt
very much whether much development is done in assembler, others more
knowledgeable would have to confirm this.
I agree that there is an argument for learning some assembler in order
to better understand how processors work but thereafter I suspect that
time is better spent becoming proficient in high level languages,
unless he/she has an interest in particular niche areas.

Colin