Strings Operations Assembly Language
In programming, a string can be defined as a series of data byte or word available in consecutive memory locations. We can have either a word string or a byte string. Memory for strings is often allocated in a sequential order. There are generally two ways to specify the length of a string
- Storing string length explicitly
- Using a sentinel character
A string length can be explicitly stored using the $ location counter symbol. The symbol represents the current value of the location counter. Additionally, the $ points to the byte after the last character of the string variable. The other way we can store strings is by using a trailing sentinel character. It delimits a string instead of storing the string length explicitly. The sentinel character is a special character. It should not appear in the string.
String manipulation instructions are the rules and regulations used to manipulate strings. A destination operand, source operand or both are required for each stringinstruction. String instructions for 32-bit segments use ESI and EDI registers. The registers point to the destination and source operands, respectively.
Strings in assembly language can be processed with the following five basic instructions. Our assembly language assignment helpers have discussed the list of string manipulation instructions in assembly language below:
- MOVS
This string instruction moves one byte, double word or word of data from one memory to another.
- LODS
The LODS instruction loads from the memory. A one-byte operand is loaded into the AL register, a one-word operand is loaded into the AX register, and a double word is loaded into the EAX register.
- STOS
The STOS instruction stores data from the EAX, AL, and AX registers to memory.
- CMPS
This is the comparison instruction. The CMPS compares two data items in memory. The data could be of word, byte size, or double word.
- SCAS
Repetition prefixes
The REP prefix causes repetition of the instruction based on a counter placed at the CX register when set before a string instruction. For example, REP MOVSB. It decreases CX by 1, executes the instruction and checks if CX is zero. If CX is not zero, the REP prefix will repeat the instruction processing until it is zero.
The direction of the operation is determined by the DF (direction flag).
- To make the operation left to right, we use the Clear Direction Flag, (CLD, DF = 0)
- To make the operation right to left, we use the set direction flag (STD, DF = 1)
The variations mentioned below are also found in the REP prefix:
- REP – This is the unconditional repeat. The REP repeats the operation until the CX is zero
- REPE - It is also called REPZ and is a conditional repeat. REPE repeats the operation if the zero flag indicates zero or equal. It will only stop if the zero flag is not equal to zero or when the CX is zero
- REPNE – This variation is sometimes called REPNZ. REPNE is also a conditional repeat. While the zero flag indicates not equal or zero, it will repeat the operation. REPNE only stops when The CX is decremented to zero or the ZF indicates zero or equal.
Types of Strings in Assembly Language
- Constant strings
A constant string is a region of memory with some ASCII characters in it. A zero-byte indicates the end of a string while one ASCII character is one byte. This means that you can create strings too the same way as you can create bytes with known values.
- Static bytes and Strings
An individual byte can be accessed from memory with the syntax BYTE [address]. Most assembly language instructions prefer doublewords to bytes. For this reason, it is recommended that you use a byte-friendly instruction like MOVZX (move zero extend).
- Variable strings
C functions like puts and gets can be used to write strings to the screen. They take an argument that points to the string data to write or read.
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