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Assembler language is the most "low-level" language the average mortal can bear to work with. However, it is not portable or standardized. It is meant to enable programming the CPU chip precisely one step at a time.
Every architecture (x86, PowerPC, MIPS) has its own basic [[instruction set]], and every family within that architecture (Pentium III, Athlon) has its own extensions. Assemblers are compilers that use some [[opcode syntax]] and other syntax rules, and maybe add [[directives]] and [[macros]]. The source code for any assembler is in "assembly language". But that doesn't mean much, since each assembler may require different source code for exactly the same program on an exactly identical architecture.
== External Links ==
[http://webster.cs.ucr.edu/AoA/DOS/AoADosIndex.html The Art of Assembly], online book, 16-bit DOS edition. (Later editions focus on a high-level assembler dialect created by the author.)<br>
[http://www.drpaulcarter.com/pcasm/ PC ASM], online book, 32 bit protected mode assembly on x86<br>
[http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471375233.html Assembly Language Step by Step], book<br>
