ASM - x86 Assembly Projects

This repository contains x86 Assembly language projects and development tools for DOS environments.

Contents

Development Tools

• MASM.EXE - Microsoft Macro Assembler for assembling x86 assembly code
• TASM.EXE - Turbo Assembler, an alternative assembler
• LINK.EXE - Linker for creating executable files from object files
• DEBUG.EXE - DOS debugger for testing and debugging programs
• DOSBox 0.74-3.lnk - Shortcut to DOSBox emulator for running DOS programs on modern systems

Projects

1. REC3.asm - Serial Communication Program

A serial port communication program that implements:

• UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) initialization
• Real-time serial data transmission and reception via COM port
• Keyboard input handling for sending data
• Screen output for received data with color-coded display (purple for received, green for sent)
• Automatic scrolling and cursor management
• Baud rate configuration (115200 baud)
• ESC key to exit the program

Features:

• Bidirectional serial communication
• Split-screen display showing received and sent messages
• Real-time character-by-character transmission

2. breaker.asm - Breakout Game

A Breakout/Arkanoid-style arcade game implementation featuring:

• Paddle (breaker) control with smooth movement
• Graphics mode programming
• Game mechanics for a brick-breaking game
• Support for multiple breakers/paddles
• Configurable paddle dimensions, colors, and movement smoothness

Game Elements:

• Adjustable paddle length (40 pixels default)
• Customizable paddle colors
• Smooth paddle movement control
• Multiple paddle support (first and second breaker configurations)

Requirements

• DOSBox or a DOS-compatible environment to run the compiled executables
• The assembler tools (MASM.EXE or TASM.EXE) are included for building the source files

Usage

To Assemble and Run Programs:

1. Open DOSBox or your DOS environment
2. Navigate to the repository directory
3. Assemble the code:

   MASM REC3.asm;
   LINK REC3.obj;
   REC3.EXE
   

   or

   TASM breaker.asm
   LINK breaker.obj
   breaker.EXE
   

Pre-compiled Executables:

• REC3.EXE - Serial communication program (ready to run)
• TEST.EXE - Test executable

File Structure

.
├── MASM.EXE          # Microsoft Macro Assembler
├── TASM.EXE          # Turbo Assembler
├── LINK.EXE          # Linker
├── DEBUG.EXE         # DOS Debugger
├── REC3.asm          # Serial communication source code
├── REC3.OBJ          # Compiled object file
├── REC3.EXE          # Serial communication executable
├── breaker.asm       # Breakout game source code
├── TEST.EXE          # Test executable
└── DOSBox 0.74-3.lnk # DOSBox shortcut

Technical Details

• Architecture: x86 (16-bit)
• Memory Model: Small (for REC3.asm)
• Stack Size: 100h bytes
• Programming Language: x86 Assembly (MASM/TASM syntax)
• Target Platform: DOS

Learning Resources

This repository serves as a practical example of:

• Low-level hardware programming (serial ports, video memory)
• Interrupt handling (INT 10h for video, INT 21h for DOS, INT 16h for keyboard)
• Real-time I/O operations
• Game development in assembly language
• DOS programming techniques

License

Please refer to the repository license for usage terms.