DictionaryassemblyLow-level programming language
noun

assembly

A programming language that uses symbolic names for machine instructions.

The programmer writes the routine in assembly.

Etymology

Old French assemblee named a gathering. In computing, an assembler puts symbolic instructions into machine-code form; assembly became the shortened name for the language supplied to that program.

More examples

  • Assembly gives direct control over machine operations.
  • He studied assembly before learning higher-level languages.
  • The program includes a small section written in assembly.

Forms

assembly · assemblies

assembler noun — a program converting assembly into machine instructions

Similar words

machine code
Numeric instructions directly executed by a processor, rather than symbolic names.