Is PUSH A Instruction Valid in 8085?

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SUMMARY

The PUSH A instruction is not valid in the Intel 8085 microprocessor architecture. Instead, the correct mnemonic for pushing the accumulator and flags is PUSH PSW, which translates to the opcode F5. While some assemblers may recognize PUSH A, it is essentially a synonym for PUSH PSW in the context of the 8085. The distinction lies in the assembler's interpretation, but the underlying operation remains consistent across different assemblers.

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  • Understanding of Intel 8085 microprocessor architecture
  • Familiarity with assembly language programming
  • Knowledge of opcodes and mnemonics in assembly
  • Basic concepts of processor state word (PSW)
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Students preparing for entrance tests involving microprocessor architecture, assembly language programmers, and anyone interested in the historical context of the Intel 8085 microprocessor.

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Is PUSH A Instruction Valid in 8085
I get this doubt because PUSH and POP always acts on register pairs but only register pairs available in 8085 are BC DE HL there is no register to pair with A so ?
 
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If you want to push the accumulator you do a PUSH PSW. This pushes the 8-bit accumulator and 8-bits worth of flags. (PSW stands for processor state word).

I'm showing my age on this one. Why in the world are you interested in 8085?

Not complaining, I would enjoy reminiscing about this old gem.
 
thanks the_emi_guy :biggrin:
this damn entrance test, they have mentioned this 1980's 8085 in their test syllabus
I think its because 8085 is pretty basic and if you master it others can be understood easily :)

So, PUSH A is invalid instruction in 8085?
 
The actual instruction (opcode) is an F5. PUSH PSW (or PUSH A) are mnemonics that an assembler would recognize and translate into the cooresponding opcode.

The Intel ICE assemblers that I used (many years ago) recognized only the mnemonic PUSH PSW.
 
For example, the Zilog Z80 processor's assembler used the mnemonic PUSH AF for this same instruction (F5).

(Z80 would execute 8080/8085 machine code).
 
I'd have to look at my 8085 book. But push a is valid on the Intel 8085 chip. If you google 8085 instruction set there is several pdf books containing the instruction set.
 
Just double checked. My 8080/8085 Assembly language Programming Manual (1977) uses the mnemonic PUSH PSW. There is no PUSH A in there.

But the point is PUSH PSW, PUSH A, or PUSH AF are all the same instruction as far as the actual 8085 chip is concerned. The only difference is in what the assembler you are using to assemble your code recognizes.

All the 8085 chip itself will see is an F5 returned from memory at the program counter address during the M1 (instruction fetch) cycle.
 
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Lol yeah I just dug out my copy from storage you are correct. Been years for myself as well
 
reddvoid said:
thanks the_emi_guy :biggrin:
this damn entrance test, they have mentioned this 1980's 8085 in their test syllabus

BTW 1970s!
 

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