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x86 assembly language
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<p>x86 assembly language is a family of <a href="/facts/Low-level_programming_language/EEpKS6mb">low-level programming languages</a> that are used to produce <a href="/facts/Object_code/Sht3h4lW">object code</a> for the <a href="/facts/X86/Kypq5fgu">x86</a> class of processors. These languages provide <a href="/facts/Backward_compatibility/FbHFBu5y">backward compatibility</a> with CPUs dating back to the <a href="/facts/Intel_8008/BccvN1qS">Intel 8008</a> microprocessor, introduced in April 1972. As assembly languages, they are closely tied to the architecture's machine code instructions, allowing for precise control over hardware. </p><p>In x86 assembly languages, <a href="/facts/Mnemonic/6HfDn0ks">mnemonics</a> are used to represent fundamental CPU instructions, making the code more human-readable compared to raw <a href="/facts/Machine_code/bgdQ1Fxf">machine code</a>. Each <a href="/facts/Mnemonic/6HfDn0ks">mnemonics</a> corresponds to a basic operation performed by the processor, such as arithmetic calculations, data movement, or <a href="/facts/Control_flow/2XTDfErC">control flow decisions.</a> Assembly languages are most commonly used in applications where performance and efficiency are critical. This includes <a href="/facts/Real-time_operating_system/IvUCFwCL">real-time</a> <a href="/facts/Embedded_system/a4muX1wU">embedded systems</a>, <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating-system</a> <a href="/facts/Kernel_(operating_system)/uEj4U3Rz">kernels</a>, and <a href="/facts/Device_driver/rDYnHU1G">device drivers</a>, all of which may require direct manipulation of hardware resources. </p><p>Additionally, <a href="/facts/Compiler/WNfCDFJe">compilers</a> for <a href="/facts/High-level_programming_language/smjECUhx">high-level programming languages</a> 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. </p>