---
title: Directives
TARGET DECK: Obsidian::STEM
FILE TAGS: x86-64
tags:
  - x86-64
---

## Directives

Assembly lines with a leading `.` are called **directives**. They are used to indicate some additional information about the program.

%%ANKI
Basic
What term describes assembly lines with a leading `.`?
Back: Directives.
Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. *Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective*. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.
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END%%

%%ANKI
Basic
Assembly directives are important for what two programs?
Back: The assembler and the linker.
Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. *Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective*. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.
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END%%

%%ANKI
Cloze
The {`.align N`} directive ensures {data following it starts with an address that is a multiple of `N`}.
Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. *Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective*. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.
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END%%

## Bibliography

* Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. *Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective*. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.