Machine CodeMachine code is the term used to describe any binary instruction which the computer’s CPU will read and execute.

e.g. 10001000 01010111 11000101 11110001 10100001 00010110

Each instruction performs a very specific task, such as loading a value into a register, or adding two binary numbers together.

HexadecimalA binary machine code sequence is very difficult to read and convert. Typically programmers will use Hexadecimal (Hex) instead.

It is easier to convert a binary number to Hexadecimal than it is to convert it to decimal. Hexadecimal is base 16.

HexadecimalA binary machine code sequence is very difficult to read and convert. Typically programmers will use Hexadecimal (Hex) instead.

It is easier to convert a binary number to Hexadecimal than it is to convert it to decimal. Hexadecimal is base 16.

HexadecimalA binary machine code sequence is very difficult to read and convert. Typically programmers will use Hexadecimal (Hex) instead.

It is easier to convert a binary number to Hexadecimal than it is to convert it to decimal. Hexadecimal is base 16.

HexadecimalExamples:

10100110 = A6

00010011 = 13

11101100 = EC

01001011 = 4B

11111111 = FF

HexadecimalConverting from Hexadecimal to Decimal is easier than converting Binary to Decimal.

Examples:

A6 = 10 x 16 + 6 = 166

13 = 1 x 16 + 3 = 19

EC = 14 x 16 + 12 = 236

4B = 4 x 16 + 11 = 75

FF = 15 x 16 + 15 = 255

Assembly CodeAssembly code is a low level language.

Assembly language is specific to a particular computer architecture. In other words, different computer manufacturers will use different assembly code instructions.

An example assembly code program for the 6502 processor is as follows:

AssemblerAn assembler is a program that converts assembly code into binary instructions.

Assembly CodeAdvantages:Very fast because of direct conversion from assembly language to binaryDirect access to hardware features e.g. embedded computers in home appliances

DisadvantagesLow level languages are difficult to learnLack of portability because assembly language is dependent on the make of processor