CS 315

Low-Level Programming (3 Cr.)

Prerequisite: CS 105, CS 120, CS 180

Description: This course introduces students to microprocessor architecture as well as the knowledge required to directly address and program the microprocessor and the various hardware devices connected to it. Since the resulting code is usually faster than similar code written in a high-level language such as C or C++, low-level programming has great importance in improving the response speed of real-time interactive programs. In this course, students program a microprocessor used to control a hand-held gaming device. The processor used is typically an 8-bit machine, which is easier to understand than 32 or 64-bit machines, but uses the same principles. Topics include registers, instruction set, addressing modes, the stack, I/O ports, interrupts, graphics, animation, collision detection, scrolling, and windowing. There is also a brief introduction to the instruction sets used on larger machines.