Note
This repository is entirely written in ARM Assembly, targeting the aarch64 architecture for ARMv8 (64-bit) systems.
Welcome to my descent into the madness of low-level programming! c:<
I wanted to understand how computers really work, so I started at the bottom: Assembly Languages. It's the closest one can get to the hardware, and I'm not gonna lie I'm shitless scared of it, but also curious.
All the scripts in this repository are the result of my experiments and learning along the way.
I chose ARM Assembly for three main reasons:
- I have a Raspberry Pi (ARM-based), so it’s practical.
- ARM is everywhere... phones, microcontrollers, IoT devices, you name it.
- It has a simpler instruction set than x86 (yikes!)
I’m also eyeing RISC-V Assembly for the future because it's not only open-source but also it's gaining popularity and feels like the future of processor design.
As mentioned, the scripts within this repository are meant to run in ARMv8 (64-bit) systems, specifically using aarch64 architecture. If you're using a Raspberry Pi and for God knows why is feeling like testing these messy scripts, make sure your model supports this architecture.
Here's a quick reference to help you identify your system:
| ARM Version | Raspberry Pi Model(s) | Architecture |
|---|---|---|
| ARMv6 | Raspberry Pi 1 (Model A, B, A+, B+, Zero, Zero W) | armv6l |
| ARMv7 | Raspberry Pi 2 (32-bit OS) | armv7l |
| ARMv8 | Raspberry Pi 3, 4, 5, Zero 2 W | aarch64 |
Warning
Note: Raspberry Pi models older than 3 won't support 64-bit operating systems.
To automate the process of compiling and running the ARM assembly code, there's this handy shell script. It's written to run in Unix-based systems, though.
- Make the script executable (how?)
- Run the script
- Enter the filename of your assembly code (without the
.sextension).
Use the command echo $? to check the exit status of the most recently executed command.
- If it returns
0, the command executed successfully.- If it returns a non-zero value, an error occurred.
😊