Computer Organization &

Assembly Language
Lecture 4
Flags
3

Flags

Carry flag
Overflow
Direction Parity flag

Interrupt enable Auxiliary flag

Trap Zero
6 are status flags
Sign
3 are control flag
4 The Status Flags
1. Carry Flag:
Carry Flag is set to 1 when there is an unsigned overflow. For
example, when you add bytes 255 +
1 (result is not in range 0…255). When there is no overflow,
this flag is set to 0.Examples:
The Carry Flag is set to 1 when there is a carry out from MSB
on addition or there is a borrow into the MSB on subtraction.
Also affected by shift and rotate instructions.
0FFh + 11h = 110h (If a register can store only 1 byte, then
where to store the carry generated by MSB?)
 1000 0001b – 1000 0010b = 11111111b (How processor would know
a borrow is required to perform subtraction?)
5 Contd..
2. Parity Flag:
Parity Flag is set to 1 when there is even number of ones in
result, and to 0 when there is odd number of ones.
PE (Even Parity): If the byte of a result has even number of
one bits. For Even parity, PF = 1
PO (Odd Parity): If the byte of a result has odd number of
one bits. For Even parity, PF = 0
Examples:
1000 0001b – 1000 0010b = 11111111b (Number of one’s in
result = 8, so PF = 1)
6 Contd..
3. Auxiliary Carry Flag:
 Auxiliary Flag is set to 1 when there is an unsigned overflow
for low nibble (4 bits).
 The Auxiliary Carry Flag is set to 1 if there is a carry out from
bit 3 on addition, or a borrow into bit 3 on subtraction.
 Used in Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) Operations.
 Examples:
 1000 0001b – 0000 0010b = 01111111b (Borrow from bit 4 to
bit 3)
7 Contd..
4. Zero Flag:
 Zero Flag is set when the result is zero.
 Zero Flag is unset when result is non zero.
 Examples:
0FFh – 0FFh = 00h
8 Contd..
5. Sign Flag:
 Sign Flag is set to 1 when result is negative. When result is
positive it is set to 0. This flag takes the value of the most
significant bit.
 Examples:
0FFh – 0FFh = 00h (MSB = 0, PF = 0)
 Contd..
9
6. Overflow Flag:
Overflow:
Range of numbers that can be represented in a computer is
limited.
Overflow Flag is set to 1 when there is a signed overflow. For
example, when you add bytes 100 + 50 (result is not in range
-128…127).
14 Logic Instructions
 To manipulate individual bits
 Binary Value 0 treated as false
 Binary Value 1 treated as true
 In Assembly Language:
 AND
 OR
 XOR
 NOT
 TEST
15 Truth Tables
a b a AND b a OR b a XOR b
0 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 1 1
1 0 0 1 1
1 1 1 1 0

a NOT a
0 1
1 0
16 Examples
1. 1010 1010 AND 1111 0000 = 1010 0000
2. 1010 1010 OR 1111 0000 = 1111 1010
3. 1010 1010 XOR 1111 0000 = 0101 1010
4. NOT 1010 1010 = 0101 0101
17 Syntax
AND destination, source
OR destination, source
XOR destination, source
 Destination:
 Stores result
 Can be Register or Memory Location
 Source:
 May be a Constant, Register or Memory Location
 Memory to memory operation not allowed
25 NOT Instruction
 Performs the one’s complement operation on the destination.
 Syntax:
NOT destination
 No effect on flags
 Example: Complement the bit in AX:
NOT AX
 Multiplication
26
• MUL instruction is used with unsigned operands
• Unsigned multiplication of 128 and 255 = 32, 640.
• 2 bytes multiplied, product = 1 word (16 bits)
• AL is implied destination operand
• Source operand can be a register or variable (8 bits)
• 16-bit output is AX

• 2 words multiplied, product = 1 double word (32 bits)

• AX is implied destination operands
• Source operand can be a register or variable (16 bits)
• 32-bit output is DX:AX
 MUL Instruction
27

• 8-bit multiplication:
MUL BL ; product = AX

• 16-bit multiplication:
MUL DX ; product = DX:AX

mov al,5
mov bl,10h
mul bl ; AX = 0050h

mov ax,500h
mov bx,100h
mul bx ; DX:AX = 00050000h
29
DIV Instruction
• Dividend is divided by divisor
• Result: Quotient and Remainder

• Byte Form:
• Dividend is AX
• Divisor can be 8-bit register or variable
• Quotient is AL, Remainder is AH

• Word Form:
• Dividend is DX:AX
• Divisor can be 16-bit register or variable
• Quotient is AX, Remainder is DX

• Status flag values are undefined

 DIV Examples
30
mov ax,0083h ; dividend
mov bl,2 ; divisor
div bl ; AL = 41h, AH = 01h

mov dx,0 ; dividend, high

mov ax,8003h ; dividend, low
mov cx,100h ; divisor
div cx ; AX = 0080h, DX = 0003h
 Divide Overflow
31

Happens when the quotient is too large to fit in the destination

register. Causes a processor interrupt.

mov dx,0050h ; dividend, high

mov ax,0000h ; dividend, low
mov cx,10h ; divisor
div cx ; quotient= 50000h, cannot
; fit in AX register
 MUL (Flags)
32

Carry and Overflow flags are set when the product extends into its high
register:
mov ax,5000h
mov bx,10h
mul bx ; DX:AX = 00050000h
; CF=1, OF=1

mov ax,500h
mov bx,10h
mul bx ; DX:AX = 00005000h
; CF=0, OF=0
 Variables In Emu8086

 Variable is a memory location. For a programmer it is much easier to have some value be
kept in a variable named "var1" then at the address 5A73:235B, especially when you
have 10 or more variables.
 name DB value

name DW value

DB - stays for Define Byte.

DW - stays for Define Word.
 name - can be any letter or digit combination, though it should start with a letter. It's
possible to declare unnamed variables by not specifying the name (this variable will have
an address but no name).
 value - can be any numeric value in any supported numbering system (hexadecimal,
binary, or decimal), or "?" symbol for variables that are not initialized.
 VAR1 DB 7
 var2 DW 1234h
 MOV AL, var1
 MOV BX, var2