Experimenting with Assembly Code on Snapdragon X Elite Processors with Windows ARM

If you’ve recently purchased a laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor, which operates on ARM64 architecture and runs Windows ARM, you might be eager to try assembly programming on it. This article will guide you through the editors, assemblers, and steps required to write and run assembly code on this platform.

1. Choosing an Editor

To write and test assembly code, consider using one of these editors:

• Visual Studio Code (VS Code):

  • A lightweight editor with extensive support for various programming languages, including assembly. You can install extensions like ARM Assembly to enhance your experience.

• Visual Studio (Community Edition):

  • A fully integrated development environment (IDE) with robust tools for coding and assembly integration.

• Notepad++:

  • A simple and lightweight text editor, suitable for quick edits but lacks integration with assemblers.

2. Choosing an Assembler

An assembler converts assembly code into executable files. Here are some options:

1. GNU Assembler (as):

   • Part of the GCC toolchain, it supports ARM architecture.

   • Installable via tools like MSYS2 or Cygwin.

   Installation Steps:

   • Download MSYS2 from msys2.org.

   • Open the MSYS2 terminal and run:

     pacman -S mingw-w64-clang-aarch64-toolchain
     

2. LLVM/Clang (Assembler):

   • Offers excellent support for ARM64 and is a modern choice.

   • Compile using the command:

     clang -target aarch64 -c example.s -o example.o
     

3. Microsoft MASM:

   • Provides partial support for Windows ARM but isn’t the best fit for ARM64 architecture.

4. Keil MDK ARM:

   • A specialized environment for ARM development, ideal for embedded projects.

3. Setting Up the Environment

A. Preparing the Workspace:

1. Install your preferred editor.

2. Install the chosen assembler.

B. Writing Assembly Code:

Here’s a simple "Hello World" program:

.section .data
msg:    .asciz "Hello, ARM64 World!\n"

.section .text
.global _start

_start:
    ldr x0, =msg          // Load address of message
    mov x1, #13           // Message length
    mov x8, #64           // syscall write
    svc 0                 // Call kernel

    mov x8, #93           // syscall exit
    svc 0                 // Call kernel

C. Compiling the Code:

Using GNU Assembler:

as -o hello.o hello.s
ld -o hello hello.o
./hello

4. Additional Tools

• Godbolt Compiler Explorer:

  • Displays assembly code generated from C/C++ source. It supports ARM64 testing. (Tool Link)

Conclusion

Experimenting with assembly language on the Snapdragon X Elite processor can be an exciting and educational experience. With the right tools and assemblers, you’ll unlock the full potential of this powerful processor. Don’t hesitate to seek help if you encounter any challenges. Good luck!