Microprocessor Programming Steps

Microprocessor Programming Steps – A program is a set of instructions arranged in a specific sequence to perform a specific task. Hence, programming is the process of commanding the microprocessor exactly how to perform a specific task. To write an assembly language program, the following steps should be included.

State the Problem

The first step in programming is to understand the task to be performed. If a programmer does not get the exact problem statement, it is not possible for him to develop the exact program. This is called specifying the problem.

Analyze the Problem

During this process, the exact step-by-step process is developed. Problem analysis can be done with the help of an algorithm as well as with a flow chart. An algorithm is defined as a sequence of instructions designed in such a way that if the instructions are executed, the desired result will be obtained. A flow chart is a pictorial representation of the sequence of steps to solve the problem.

Implementation of Instructions

Once the program is specified and analysed, it can be implemented. Implementation begins with the process of coding. To write an assembly language program (ALP), the blocks shown in a flow chart or an algorithm are translated into respective instructions according to their operations. Each processor has its own instruction set, and the programmer has to choose appropriate instructions from the instruction set to write the ALP.

Debugging

Once the program for the given problem is coded, the next step is to verify that the code is performing the given task. Debugging is the process of testing the code to check whether it is working properly or not. The debugging process helps the programmer to detect errors in code if it is not working properly. In this way, the debugging process plays an important role in finding and correcting errors in the program code.

Manual Assembling

Small microprocessor-based systems do not have an in-built assembler program. An assembler is a program that translates an assembly language program from mnemonics to binary code (machine code). Since small systems are provided with just a monitor program, not with an assembler, it is required to change the assembly language program into its machine language equivalent (Binary/Hex Code) manually. The machine code table is provided with the instruction set of the microprocessor. Now the next step is to convert the assembly language instructions to their equivalent machine code.

Store the Program

The next step is to store the program in the memory, which is provided to users for programming. To store the program, two pieces of information are necessary. The first one is the machine code, and the second is the address from which and up to which the program will be stored.

Execute the Program

The last step of programming is to execute the program, which is stored in the predefined R/W memory. Whenever a program is executed, the starting address of the program is provided to the processor by the programmer.