I'm in my first year of a BTech program in Computer Science and I've recently started learning about coding. I'm really curious about how computers process code, and I've found out that my program gets converted to assembly language before it becomes binary code, which the CPU can understand. My college offers a nand2tetris course that covers Hack assembly language and other related topics. I find it fascinating; for example, I recently wrote a code in Hack assembly that adds numbers from 1 to 10 in a loop. However, my professor mentioned that assembly language might not be particularly useful for coding jobs or internships. Many of my classmates struggle with this subject and seem uninterested, while I've been putting in extra hours trying to grasp concepts like syntax, half-adders, full-adders, and ALU. So, my question is: Should I invest time in learning assembly language and these computer fundamentals deeply, or should I just learn enough to pass the exams?
6 Answers
While assembly is interesting, I recommend starting with a high-level language first. Understanding how high-level code translates into machine instructions can make learning assembly much easier later. Assembly has its uses, but getting a strong foundation first will really benefit you in the long run.
Your choice should depend on your interest in computer mechanics versus wanting to focus on software engineering. Most software roles don't require assembly knowledge, but it definitely makes for an interesting skill set. So, weigh your options based on what you find exciting!
If you ever find yourself time traveling back to the 1940s, you'll definitely appreciate knowing assembly! Seriously though, it can be a fun and intriguing challenge that might be helpful in niche roles later.
Any time you spend learning, even if it seems unrelated to your career goals, isn’t wasted. It all adds to your knowledge! So don’t shy away from diving into assembly if it interests you.
It really depends on what you want to achieve. If your goal is just to pass the exams, then yeah, you could stick to the basics. However, understanding assembly can give you a solid foundation in computer science and help distinguish you from others when it comes to internships or specialized fields like embedded systems. Only you can decide if the extra effort aligns with your interests.
Absolutely, learning assembly can deepen your understanding of how computers operate. Even if it doesn't directly help with getting a job, it satisfies intellectual curiosity and can be useful in specialized areas later on.
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