Windows Assembly Language and Systems Programming: 16- and 32-Bit Low-Level Programming for the PC and Windows

by Barry Kauler

-Access Real mode from Protected mode; Protected mode from Real mode Apply OOP concepts to assembly language programs Interface assembly language programs with high-level languages Achieve direct hardware manipulation and memory access Explore the archite

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087930474X
• ISBN13: 9780879304744
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: CRC Press
• Length: 419 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Use of Assembly in Low Level Windows

This book is NOT for everybody. But if you need to extract maximum performance from Windows 95/98, it is indispensible eg, Games, SCSI i/face, real-time I/O, etc. In conjunction with Walter Oney's "System's Programming for Windows 95" it is unbeatable. The appendix describing the Microsoft DPMI extensions is worth the price. It is the only work that addresses: TSRs with Windows, Call gate thunking and shared VM memory areas. (If you don't understand what these mean, this book is not for you; if you do then you will appreciate their importance and indispensibility for high performance apps, particularly I/O oriented ones.) I found Kauler's description of Assembly implementation of OOP innards most illuminating. The 1st 2 book chapters could be culled substantially, to a summary of x86 architecture & Assembly, and the space better used for subsequent chapters where the descriptions are somewhat thin. Since the number of books on low level Assembly hacking into Windows is just 1, and Ring 0 Assembly is the only way to handle multiple CDRs, RAID array, multi-DAT or other high throughput I/O apps -- this book stands alone, regardless of its warts. Oney's book lays out VxDs, Kauler's fills in the key gaps for direct DPMI calls, fast thunking, VM sharing and working through DOS REAL Real Mode (not V86). Kauler's irreverent style is somewhat flippant for this serious a topic.

Uncle Barry to the rescue!

Are you that special kind of Computer Programmer? You know the kind who does not have a mentality like, "As long as my program runs, who cares how I got there." Are you the kind of person who wants you 'application development skills' to be the best that they can be? Would you like to develop tight, small code that runs smoking fast? Well, Barry Kauler's book, "Windows Assembly Language and Systems Programming" is a good step in that direction. Most people don't realize that the "C" language is actually a form of 'glorified BASIC.' Remeber how slow that crap used to run? Guess what? It still does. Mr. Kauler provides his evidence in an over-kill fashion, he is so knowledgeable in most all aspects of PC technology, he wants to make sure that you do to. If you read Mr. Kauler's book you may say, "I already knew that," keep reading, I bet you'll learn something new. In my personal opinion, I feel that when Computer Software that is developed at the system level, "YOU OWN THE PROCESSOR." Develop any other way and, "THE PROCESSOR OWNS YOU." Which would you rather be? I highly recommend Mr. Kauler's book, not so much because he did not include a bunch of killer examples on his companion disk, but beacuse he opens the door for you to do it.

Essential reading, but not perfect

Being one of the very few books on this topic, this book is essential for anyone who's interested. Although there is a chapter about the basics of assembly language, I think the reader must have some basic assembly skills before starting with this book. I personally knew DOS assembly and wanted to learn Windows assembly. This book formed a GREAT introduction.The only drawbacks I find are:- the comparison Win16 Win32 is made, I'd rather see the comparison Win9x Winnt;- the author doesn't always explain what he promised to explain. E.g. A chapter about Ring0 Code is about an example of *getting* ring0 from ring3;- the source code is messy, and doesn't always compile.But still, it's a great book.

Good book, for people who have a good grasp of assembly

I actual give this book a 9 because you really do not have a choice, this is the only book out there that explains coding at this level. At least in this version of the book the author tries to make things work in just masm or tasm. Strangely in his last book you would need parts of 3 or 4 different programming languages to compile the example code. In this edition he rarely falls into that trap. The explaintion of the code are excellent, he explains some tricks to use 16 and 32 bit code in one program. He also has a small but working windows program written entirely in assembly (not console based, true windows) and documents all parts of it. There is no other book out there on the market that explains windows at this level. A must for those who like to explore the depths of windows programing.

Essential Reading for Assembly Language Programmers.

It is indeed pleasing to see work of this calibre coming from fellow countrymen (Australia). Barry's book opens doors that were previously either invisible or firmly closed in the eyes of MS-DOS real mode assembly programmers. His approach of 'begin at the beginning' makes sure that the reader has the basics before attempting to absorb new information. For those who like to scan through the pages, you may reach the conclusion that the contents are daunting. If you read from the beginning however, you discover that whilst the learning curve is STEEP, and there is a LOT of information to absorb, the layout and approach is logical and not half as difficult as first impressions. It is also pleasing to see that Barry appreciates that some of the material, whilst useful and neccessary, is very dry reading. The injection of a little humor breaks what would otherwise be boring. (eg: pp99 "ALL OF THIS STUFF DOWN TO CREATEWIN IS PRETTY HORRIBLE, SO LET YOUR EYES GLAZE OVER AND READ QUICKLY ONWARD TO CREATEWIN:"). In conclusion, whilst not a complete reference on all matters regarding assembly language programming in the 'Windows' environment, this book certainly gives you the feeling of having been given the 'rosetta stone'. With the provided further reading references, an MS-DOS programmer should be able to effiencently convert to the new world of 'Windows'.