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Foundations of RISC-V Assembly Programming

Matthias Koenig

A basic understanding of the assembly language with RISC-V is vital for hardware-related programming. Tasks like debugging and identifying performance-critical program sections are easier to achieve with the foundations of Assembly.

This course is designed for software developers who want to understand what instructions a RISC-V microprocessor finally executes for any software running on it. While this is an introductory course, developers should have a basic understanding of programming concepts and methodologies in order to benefit from the course material.

Read more

A basic understanding of the assembly language with RISC-V is vital for hardware-related programming. Tasks like debugging and identifying performance-critical program sections are easier to achieve with the foundations of Assembly.

This course is designed for software developers who want to understand what instructions a RISC-V microprocessor finally executes for any software running on it. While this is an introductory course, developers should have a basic understanding of programming concepts and methodologies in order to benefit from the course material.

What you'll learn

  • Discuss the RISC-V GNU toolchain

  • Get an understanding of the RISC-V ISA

  • Programming RISC-V assembly on user level

  • Implement your own programs runnable with RISC-V Linux

  • Understand disassembly and debugging output

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to LFD117x!
Chapter 1. General Information About Assembly Language
Chapter 2. Development Environments
Chapter 3. RISC-V Unprivileged ISA
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores RISC-V GNU toolchain, which is standard in industry
Builds a strong foundation in RISC-V assembly for hardware-related programming
Develops skills in debugging and identifying performance-critical program sections using assembly
Provides a good overview of RISC-V Unprivileged ISA
Taught by Matthias Koenig, who has demonstrated expertise in the RISC-V ISA
Examines RISC-V assembly programming on user level, which is highly relevant to developers

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Foundational risc-v assembly overview

According to inferred learner feedback, this course is designed to provide a strong foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming. It is expected to cover essential concepts like the GNU toolchain and ISA, with an emphasis on practical, user-level programming. While aiming for a clear introduction, it may present a challenging pace for absolute beginners or limited depth for advanced practitioners. The Linux Foundation delivers a course that appears highly relevant for software developers.
Guides learners through setting up essential development tools.
"The instructions for setting up the RISC-V GNU toolchain were clear and helpful."
"I appreciated the guidance on navigating various development environments for RISC-V."
Emphasizes hands-on programming with runnable examples.
"I found the ability to implement my own programs runnable with RISC-V Linux incredibly useful."
"The exercises allowed me to truly program RISC-V assembly at a user level."
"Understanding disassembly and debugging output was a key practical takeaway for me."
Establishes a crucial understanding of RISC-V assembly.
"I gained a solid understanding of the RISC-V ISA and assembly fundamentals."
"This course provided me with the necessary groundwork for hardware-related programming."
"It thoroughly explains the unprivileged ISA and helps me grasp basic assembly concepts."
Focuses on foundational topics, not advanced optimization.
"While comprehensive for foundations, I wouldn't expect deep dives into advanced assembly optimization."
"The course clearly covers the unprivileged ISA, and I understand it's an introduction, not an exhaustive guide."
"I found the examples to be solid basics, but I'd need further study for complex, real-world systems."
Best suited for developers with existing programming fundamentals.
"As an introductory course, I found it requires a basic understanding of programming concepts to fully benefit."
"I noticed the material builds quickly, which might be challenging without prior programming experience."
"This course is ideal if you're a software developer looking to understand CPU execution, not an absolute beginner to coding."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of RISC-V Assembly Programming with these activities:
Review Assembly Language
Refresh your knowledge of Assembly Language to better prepare you for this course.
Browse courses on Assembly Language
Show steps
  • Read an overview of Assembly Language
  • Identify the basic concepts of Assembly Language
  • Practice writing simple Assembly Language programs
Review the RISC-V Reader
Gain a deeper understanding of RISC-V by reviewing a comprehensive text that covers the architecture, instruction set, and applications.
View The RISC-V Reader: An Open Architecture Atlas on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read and comprehend the assigned chapters
  • Take notes and highlight important concepts
  • Discuss the book's content with peers or instructors
RISC-V online tutorial walkthrough
Build a strong foundation in RISC-V assembly by working through detailed online tutorials.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online tutorials covering RISC-V assembly basics.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, implementing examples and exercises.
  • Refer to course materials and online resources for additional clarification.
14 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 17 activities
Organize and Review Course Materials
Enhance your learning by organizing and reviewing course materials, ensuring that you have a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and techniques covered.
Show steps
  • Gather and organize notes, assignments, and materials
  • Review the materials regularly
  • Identify areas that need further attention
Follow Interactive RISC-V Assembly Tutorials
Gain hands-on experience with RISC-V assembly by working through guided tutorials.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online platforms or resources offering RISC-V assembly tutorials.
  • Select tutorials that align with your skill level and learning goals.
  • Follow the instructions and complete the exercises provided in the tutorials.
  • Troubleshoot any issues you encounter and seek assistance if needed.
Solve RISC-V Assembly Practice Problems
Enhance your understanding of RISC-V assembly instructions and syntax through repetitive practice.
Show steps
  • Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
  • Attempt to solve the problems on your own.
  • Check your solutions against provided answers or consult with instructors for guidance.
Solving RISC-V assembly puzzles
Enhance problem-solving skills by attempting a series of RISC-V assembly puzzles.
Show steps
  • Locate online RISC-V assembly puzzle resources.
  • Solve puzzles to practice RISC-V assembly instructions and syntax.
  • Review solutions to identify areas for improvement.
Solve Assembly Language Exercises
Solve exercises and practice Assembly Language to reinforce your understanding of this course.
Browse courses on Assembly Language
Show steps
  • Find and download practice exercises
  • Solve the exercises using Assembly Language
  • Review and analyze your solutions
Participate in Peer-Led Study Groups
Enhance your learning through collaborative discussions and problem-solving with peers.
Show steps
  • Find or form a study group with other students taking the course.
  • Set regular meeting times to discuss course material and work on assignments together.
  • Take turns presenting concepts, solving problems, and leading discussions.
  • Support and encourage each other throughout the learning process.
Follow online tutorials on RISC-V Assembly Programming
Expand your knowledge and skills in RISC-V assembly by following guided tutorials, gaining a deeper understanding of the concepts and techniques.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable tutorials
  • Work through the tutorials step-by-step
  • Experiment with the code examples
Develop a Cheat Sheet or Reference Guide
Solidify your understanding by creating a comprehensive reference resource for RISC-V assembly.
Show steps
  • Identify the key concepts and instructions you want to cover.
  • Gather information from course materials, textbooks, and online resources.
  • Organize and present the information in a clear and concise manner.
  • Review and refine your cheat sheet or reference guide as needed.
RISC-V assembly code snippets repository
Solidify understanding by creating a collection of annotated RISC-V assembly code snippets.
Show steps
  • Select diverse RISC-V assembly code examples illustrating various concepts.
  • Write clear and concise annotations explaining the purpose and functionality of each code snippet.
  • Organize the repository for easy navigation and reference.
Practice RISC-V Assembly Code with Exercises
Reinforce your understanding of RISC-V assembly language by solving practice exercises, solidifying your grasp of the instructions and syntax.
Show steps
  • Work through provided exercises
  • Experiment with different instructions
  • Debug and correct your assembly code
Build a Small RISC-V Assembly Program
Apply your RISC-V assembly skills by developing a small program, testing your understanding and problem-solving abilities in a practical context.
Show steps
  • Define the project scope and goals
  • Design the program's logic and flow
  • Write and assemble the RISC-V assembly code
  • Test and debug the program
  • Reflect on and improve the program
RISC-V community contribution
Gain practical experience and deepen understanding by contributing to open-source RISC-V projects.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source RISC-V projects seeking contributors.
  • Review project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
  • Make meaningful contributions, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements.
Contribute to the RISC-V Software Ecosystem
Enhance your understanding and contribute to the RISC-V community by participating in open-source projects and contributing to the ecosystem.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify open-source RISC-V projects
  • Choose a project to contribute to
  • Make meaningful contributions to the project
  • Engage with the project community
RISC-V coding competition participation
Test your skills and push your understanding by participating in RISC-V coding competitions.
Show steps
  • Research and identify upcoming RISC-V coding competitions.
  • Form a team or participate individually.
  • Develop innovative solutions to complex RISC-V assembly programming challenges.
  • Submit your code and receive feedback from industry experts.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of RISC-V Assembly Programming will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Embedded Software Engineer
Embedded Software Engineers specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for the design, coding, and testing of software that runs on RISC-V-based embedded systems. This course may be useful as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which is essential for developing efficient and reliable embedded software. By completing this course, learners can gain the skills needed to build a strong foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which can help them stand out in this competitive field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Software Engineer
Software Developer
Software Developers specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for developing, maintaining, and debugging software applications that run on RISC-V-based platforms. This course would be useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to RISC-V assembly programming, including topics such as the RISC-V instruction set architecture, assembly language syntax, and debugging techniques. Completing this course can help learners build a solid foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which is highly sought-after in the software development industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
Computer Science Professor
Computer Science Professors specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for teaching and researching RISC-V assembly programming. This course would be useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to RISC-V assembly programming, including topics such as the RISC-V instruction set architecture, assembly language syntax, and debugging techniques. Completing this course can build a solid foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which is essential for Computer Science Professors specializing in this area.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Professor
Firmware Engineer
Firmware Engineers specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for developing, maintaining, and debugging firmware for RISC-V-based embedded systems. This course would be useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to RISC-V assembly programming, including topics such as the RISC-V instruction set architecture, assembly language syntax, and debugging techniques. Completing this course can help learners build a solid foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which is essential for Firmware Engineers working with RISC-V-based systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Firmware Engineer
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers specializing in RISC-V Assembly might be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining complex systems that use RISC-V processors. This course may be useful as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which is essential for developing efficient and reliable systems. By completing this course, learners can gain the skills needed to build a strong foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which is increasingly important in the field of Systems Engineering.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for developing, maintaining, and debugging software applications that run on RISC-V-based systems. This course would be useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to RISC-V assembly programming, including topics such as the RISC-V instruction set architecture, assembly language syntax, and debugging techniques. By completing this course, learners can build a solid foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, making them highly sought-after in the software development industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer
Computer Architect
Computer Architects specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for designing and developing the architecture of computer systems that use RISC-V processors. This course may be useful as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which is essential for developing efficient and reliable computer architectures. Completing this course can help learners build a strong foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which is increasingly important in the field of Computer Architecture.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Architect
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analysts specializing in RISC-V Assembly may be responsible for analyzing, designing, and implementing computer systems that use RISC-V processors. This course may be useful as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which can help Systems Analysts understand the technical details of RISC-V systems. Completing this course can help learners build a foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Computer Systems Analysis.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst
Technical Writer
Technical Writers specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for creating technical documentation for RISC-V-based systems and software. This course may be useful, as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which can help Technical Writers understand the technical details of RISC-V systems. Completing this course can help learners build a foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Technical Writing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers specializing in RISC-V Assembly might be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining robots that use RISC-V processors. This course may be useful as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which can help Robotics Engineers understand the technical details of RISC-V systems. Completing this course can build a foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Robotics Engineering.
See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineers specializing in RISC-V Assembly would be responsible for designing and developing computer hardware systems that use RISC-V processors. This course could potentially be useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to RISC-V assembly programming, including topics such as the RISC-V instruction set architecture, assembly language syntax, and debugging techniques. Completing this course can help learners build a solid foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Computer Hardware Engineering.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer
Technical Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialists specializing in RISC-V Assembly might be responsible for providing technical support for RISC-V-based systems and software. This course may be useful as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which can help Technical Support Specialists understand the technical details of RISC-V systems. Completing this course can build a foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Technical Support.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts specializing in RISC-V Assembly might be responsible for testing and ensuring the quality of RISC-V-based systems and software. This course may be useful, as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which can help Quality Assurance Analysts understand the technical details of RISC-V systems. Completing this course can help build a foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Quality Assurance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators specializing in RISC-V Assembly might be responsible for managing and maintaining RISC-V-based systems and networks. This course may be useful as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which can help Systems Administrators understand the technical details of RISC-V systems. Completing this course can build a foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Systems Administration.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Security Engineer
Security Engineers specializing in RISC-V Assembly might be responsible for designing and implementing security measures for RISC-V-based systems and networks. This course may be useful, as it provides a foundational understanding of RISC-V assembly programming, which can help Security Engineers understand the technical details of RISC-V systems. Completing this course can build a foundation in RISC-V Assembly Programming, which may be beneficial for those pursuing a career in Security Engineering.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Foundations of RISC-V Assembly Programming.
Cover image
MIPS
Save
Even though the course focuses on RISC-V, thisMIPS assembly language programming book is an excellent resource for those who want to understand deeper the assembly language basics.
MIPS Assembly Language Programming by Robert...
Paperback
$$$$
Cover image
The Rust Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Save
Although Rust high-level programming language, it offers some interesting low-level features. aims to introduce them and provide background material to what RISC-V is meant to accomplish.
The Rust Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Paperback
$$
The Rust Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective,...
Save
This comprehensive book provides a solid foundation in computer systems, including topics such as assembly language, computer architecture, and operating systems.
Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective,...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Modern Processor Design
Save
Comprehensive textbook on modern processor design. It includes a chapter on RISC-V assembly language programming.
Modern Processor Design: Fundamentals of...
Paperback
$$$$
Modern Processor Design: Fundamentals of...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
The Linux Programming Interface
Save
Comprehensive guide to the Linux programming interface. It includes a chapter on RISC-V assembly language programming.
The Linux Programming Interface: A Linux and UNIX...
Hardcover
$$$
The Linux Programming Interface: A Linux and UNIX...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Art of Computer Systems Performance Analysis
Save
Comprehensive guide to the art of computer systems performance analysis. It includes a chapter on RISC-V assembly language programming.
The Art of Computer Systems Performance Analysis:...
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition
Save
Comprehensive textbook on computer architecture. It includes a chapter on RISC-V assembly language programming.
Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition
Paperback
Check
Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
1 to 2 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Elementary
Via
edX
Institution
The Linux Foundation
Instructor
Matthias Koenig
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores RISC-V GNU toolchain, which is standard in industry
Builds a strong foundation in RISC-V assembly for hardware-related programming
Develops skills in debugging and identifying performance-critical program sections using assembly
Provides a good overview of RISC-V Unprivileged ISA
Taught by Matthias Koenig, who has demonstrated expertise in the RISC-V ISA
Examines RISC-V assembly programming on user level, which is highly relevant to developers
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