Check Homework: Compare & Set Flags

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The discussion focuses on analyzing assembly language instructions that compare values in the context of setting flags. For the instruction pair "cmpi #$30, d0" followed by "beq dan," the Z flag is set if d0 equals $30, causing a branch to label dan. The second pair "cmp.l unknown, d0" and "bne dan" requires consideration of the unknown value, as it could lead to different flag settings based on its comparison with d0. The third pair "cmp.w d1, d0" and "bgt dan" also depends on the value of d1, with the branch occurring if d1 is greater than d0 and neither the Z nor N flags are set. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the conditions under which flags are set and how they influence branching in assembly language.
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Homework Statement



If the content of d0 is $30 state in words what each of the following numbered instruction pairs will do.

Homework Equations



a. cmpi #$30,d0

beq dan

b. cmp.l unknown, d0

bne dan

c. cmp.w d1,d0

bgt dan

The Attempt at a Solution



a. cmpi #$30,d0 = Z flag gets set.

beq dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [equal to zero]


b. cmp.l unknown, d0 = so no flags get set.

bne dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [not equal to zero]


c. cmp.w d1,d0 = N flag gets set

bgt dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [greater than zero]
 
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chelsea9947 said:

Homework Statement



If the content of d0 is $30 state in words what each of the following numbered instruction pairs will do.

Homework Equations



a. cmpi #$30,d0

beq dan

b. cmp.l unknown, d0

bne dan

c. cmp.w d1,d0

bgt dan


The Attempt at a Solution



a. cmpi #$30,d0 = Z flag gets set.

beq dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [equal to zero]
This is probably closer to how your answers should be "stated in words."
Since d0 is $30, the compare instruction sets the Z flag.
The beq instruction causes a branch to label dan, because the Z flag is set.
chelsea9947 said:
b. cmp.l unknown, d0 = so no flags get set.

bne dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [not equal to zero]
You can't say that no flags get set, because you don't know what value is stored in unknown. You should look at two cases: unknown == $30 and unknown != $30 (meaning that unknown > $30 or unknown < $30).
The branch instruction will do one thing if the Z flag is set and another if the Z flag is clear. You need to have both cases covered in your explanation.
chelsea9947 said:
c. cmp.w d1,d0 = N flag gets set

bgt dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [greater than zero]
You can't say that the N flag gets set, because you don't know what value is stored in d1. You should look at two cases: d1 <= d0 and d1 > d0.
You need to have both cases covered in your explanation.
 
cmp.l unknown,d0 = I don’t know what value stored in unknown. Therefore their will be three cases (unknown > d0 or unknown < d0 and unknown = d0)

Unknown > d0 = N flag gets set.
Unknown < d0 = no flags get set
unknown = d0 = Z flag gets set

bne dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [not equal to zero] cmp.w d1,d0 = I don’t know what value stored in d1. Therefore their will be three cases (d1 < d0 or d1 > d0 and d1 = d0)

d1 > d0 = N flag gets set.
d1 < d0 = no flags get set
d1 = d0 = Z flag gets set

bgt dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [greater than zero]

is this correct
 
chelsea9947 said:
cmp.l unknown,d0 = I don’t know what value stored in unknown. Therefore their will be three cases (unknown > d0 or unknown < d0 and unknown = d0)

Unknown > d0 = N flag gets set.
Unknown < d0 = no flags get set
unknown = d0 = Z flag gets set

bne dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [not equal to zero]
This is not correct. You are writing your answers as if you were writing code, which is not what is asked for. You should not be writing your answers like this: bne dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [not equal to zero]

Write your answers without brackets and in English sentences.

bne dan causes a branch to label dan if the Z flag is clear (not set). Which possibility/possibilities cause this branch to be taken? Note that d0 being zero or not has no influence on things.
chelsea9947 said:
cmp.w d1,d0 = I don’t know what value stored in d1. Therefore their will be three cases (d1 < d0 or d1 > d0 and d1 = d0)

d1 > d0 = N flag gets set.
d1 < d0 = no flags get set
d1 = d0 = Z flag gets set

bgt dan = [go to label dan] [if d0] [greater than zero]

is this correct
No it isn't.
bgt dan causes a branch to label dan if neither the Z flag nor the N flag are set. Which of your three conditions causes neither of these flags to be set?

Your answer should be something like this:
The bgt instruction causes control to flow to label dan if <fill in the blank>. The branch instruction is ignored if <fill in the blank>.
 
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