The value of assembler language programmers [was RE: Algol vs Fortran was RE: VHDL vs Verilog]

On Feb 9, 2010, at 8:24 PM, Chuck Guzis wrote: In SOME places, yes. AVRs are an interesting anomaly: They're extremely powerful processors with very low barriers to entry. Lots of beginners start out with AVRs. (I'm NOT suggesting that AVRs are only for beginners!) Lots of beginners also seem to think that nobody programs in assembler anymore. Granted, far fewer do now than, say, thirty years ago, but lots do. One cannot replace all programming with HLLs, no more than one can replace all programming with C# or Java. ARMs are damn near impossible to program in assembler. That's why everyone uses C in that world. Lots of [modern incarnation] Z80, Z8, 8051, and low-end PIC development is done, both professionally and otherwise, in assembler today. Since those architectures aren't changing, and it's mainly done that way because of the architectures, I doubt it'll ever change. It certainly hasn't yet. -Dave -- Dave McGuire Port Charlotte, FL