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8051 Microcontroller Assembly Language Programming


 In the previous 8051 Microcontroller Tutorial, we have seen about the 8051 Microcontroller Instruction Set and Addressing Modes. In this tutorial, we will take a look at the 8051 Microcontroller Assembly Language Programming, the structure of 8051 Assembly Language, example programs, etc.

Before going into the details of the 8051 Microcontroller Assembly Language and Programming, let us get a brief idea about Programming Language in general (specific to Microcontrollers) and also types of Programming Languages.

What is a Programming Language?

Programming in the sense of Microcontrollers (or any computer) means writing a sequence of instructions that are executed by the processor in a particular order to perform a predefined task. Programming also involves debugging and troubleshooting of instructions and instruction sequence to make sure that the desired task is performed.

Like any language, Programming Languages have certain words, grammar and rules. There are three types or levels of Programming Languages for 8051 Microcontroller. These levels are based on how closely the statements in the language resemble the operations or tasks performed by the Microcontroller.


The three levels of Programming Languages are:

  • Machine Language
  • Assembly Language
  • goog_981911429High-level Language

Machine language

In Machine language or Machine Code, the instructions are written in binary bit patterns i.e. combination of binary digits 1 and 0, which are stored as HIGH and LOW Voltage Levels. This is the lowest level of programming languages and is the language that a Microcontroller or Microprocessor actually understands.


Assembly Language

The next level of Programming Language is the Assembly Language. Since Machine Language or Code involves all the instructions in 1’s and 0’s, it is very difficult for humans to program using it.


Assembly Language is a pseudo-English representation of the Machine Language. The 8051 Microcontroller Assembly Language is a combination of English like words called Mnemonics and Hexadecimal codes.


It is also a low level language and requires extensive understanding of the architecture of the Microcontroller.


High-level Language

The name High-level language means that you need not worry about the architecture or other internal details of a microcontroller and they use words and statements that are easily understood by humans.


Few examples of High-level Languages are BASIC, C Pascal, C++ and Java. A program called Compiler will convert the Programs written in High-level languages to Machine Code.


Why Assembly Language?

Although High-level languages are easy to work with, the following reasons point out the advantage of Assembly Language

  • The Programs written in Assembly gets executed faster and they occupy less memory.
  • With the help of Assembly Language, you can directly exploit all the features of a Microcontroller.
  • Using Assembly Language, you can have direct and accurate control of all the Microcontroller’s resources like I/O Ports, RAM, SFRs, etc.
  • Compared to High-level Languages, Assembly Language has less rules and restrictions.



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