Programming multi-stack structures in an assembly language course

  • Authors:
  • Gordon Bassen;Isaak Garber

  • Affiliations:
  • Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn, NY;Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn, NY

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges
  • Year:
  • 2005

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Abstract

Computer concepts utilizing a new design or architecture are often too sophisticated for the majority of lower level undergraduates. This paper presents a methodology for introducing a model of a multi-stack structure into a PC Assembly Language programming curriculum. Although the techniques incorporate state of the art programming, they are presented at a level commensurate with the ability of a second-year student, such that they can be introduced at an early point in the course. The use of a stack frame is demonstrated, and students are shown that stacks have capabilities beyond that of storing values of registers and return addresses. As assembly language is used, students will also gain an insight into the compilation process.