Preface

The SPARC assembler translates source files that are in assembly language format into object files for linking into executables on Oracle Solaris SPARC platforms.

The assembler is a tool for producing program modules intended to exploit features of the SPARC architecture in ways that cannot be easily done using high level languages and their compilers.

The choice of assembly language for the development of program modules depends on the extent to which and the ease with which the language allows the programmer to control the architectural features of the processor.

The assembly language described in this manual offers full direct access to the SPARC instruction set and Solaris macro preprocessors to achieve full macro-assembler capability. Furthermore, the assembler responds to directives that allow the programmer control over the contents of the relocatable object file.

This document describes the language in which the source files must be written. The nature of the machine mnemonics governs the way in which the program's executable portion is written. This document includes descriptions of the pseudo operations that allow control over the object file. This facilitates the development of programs that are easy to understand and maintain.

Before You Read This Book

You should also become familiar with the following:

Manual pages: as(1), ld(1), cpp(1), elf(3elf), dis(1), a.out(1)
Oracle SPARC Architecture 2011 Guide
SPARC Architecture Manual (Version 8 and Version 9)
System V Application Binary Interface: SPARC Processor Supplement

Access to Oracle Support

Oracle customers have access to electronic support through My Oracle Support. For information, visit http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=info or visit http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=acc&id=trs if you are hearing impaired.

Typographic Conventions

The following table describes the typographic conventions that are used in this book.

Table P-1 Typographic Conventions

Typeface	Description	Example
`AaBbCc123`	The names of commands, files, and directories, and onscreen computer output	Edit your `.login` file. Use `ls -a` to list all files. `machine_name% you have mail.`
`AaBbCc123`	What you type, contrasted with onscreen computer output	`machine_name%` `su` `Password:`
`aabbcc123`	Placeholder: replace with a real name or value	The command to remove a file is `rm` `filename`.
AaBbCc123	Book titles, new terms, and terms to be emphasized	Read Chapter 6 in the User's Guide. A cache is a copy that is stored locally. Do not save the file. Note: Some emphasized items appear bold online.

Shell Prompts in Command Examples

The following table shows UNIX system prompts and superuser prompts for shells that are included in the Oracle Solaris OS. In command examples, the shell prompt indicates whether the command should be executed by a regular user or a user with privileges.

Table P-2 Shell Prompts

Shell	Prompt
Bash shell, Korn shell, and Bourne shell	`$`
Bash shell, Korn shell, and Bourne shell for superuser	`#`
C shell	`machine_name%`
C shell for superuser	`machine_name#`

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	SPARC Assembly Language Reference Manual Oracle Solaris 11.1 Information Library