A program that reads each of the instructions in mnemonic form and translates it into the machine-language equivalent is known as Assembler. Assembler uses a mnemonic to represent each low-level machine instruction or opcode, typically also each architectural register, flag, etc.

Assembler

An assembler is a program that reads each instruction in mnemonic form and translates it into the machine-language equivalent. It is an important tool used in the development of software for a computer system. Let's explore the concept of an assembler in detail.

Explanation:

An assembler is a software tool that converts assembly language code into machine code. Assembly language is a low-level programming language that is specific to a particular computer architecture. It uses mnemonic codes to represent machine instructions.

Here is a step-by-step explanation of how an assembler works:

1. Reading Instructions: The assembler reads each instruction in the assembly language program one by one.

2. Translation: It translates each mnemonic instruction into its machine-language equivalent. This translation process involves converting the mnemonic code into the corresponding binary representation of the instruction.

3. Symbolic Labels: An assembler also handles symbolic labels used in the assembly language program. These labels are used to identify memory locations or specific points in the program. The assembler assigns addresses to these labels and replaces them with their corresponding memory addresses in the machine code.

4. Generating Object Code: As the assembler translates each instruction, it generates the corresponding machine code or object code. The object code is a binary representation of the translated instructions and data.

5. Linking: In some cases, an assembler may also perform linking, which involves combining multiple object files to create an executable program. This process resolves references to external libraries or modules used in the program.

The output of the assembler is the machine code or object code, which can be directly executed by the computer's hardware. The machine code is in a format that the computer's processor can understand and execute.

Advantages of Assembler:
- Assemblers provide a more human-readable representation of machine code compared to raw binary code.
- They allow programmers to write code at a more abstract level, making it easier to understand and maintain.
- Assemblers provide efficient translation from assembly language to machine code, which reduces the time required for program execution.

In conclusion, an assembler is a program that translates assembly language instructions into machine code. It plays a crucial role in the development of software for a computer system, enabling programmers to write code at a higher level of abstraction while still generating efficient machine instructions.