Is It Still Necessary to Learn Assembly in 2024?

This article provides an in-depth exploration of the chronological order and intrinsic relationship between the emergence of operating systems and applications. The core argument is that both postdate the appearance of the Application Binary Interface (ABI) and are fundamentally reliant on abstraction. The article first uses a C language example to demonstrate the process of loading machine code via `mmap` and executing it directly, revealing the underlying mechanism by which early computers could run programs without an operating system. Subsequently, it explains the importance of achieving software decoupling and extensibility by defining abstract interfaces (such as plugin systems), in line with the Dependency Inversion Principle, and highlights that good interface design is key to system flexibility. It further proposes that the ABI serves as a bridge between operating systems and applications, defining the specifications for program interaction, resource management, and execution; understanding the ABI is, therefore, understanding the core functionality of an operating system. Using the example of HarmonyOS maintaining compatibility with the Linux ABI, the article illustrates that the two are closely linked through standard interfaces, rather than having a simple sequential dependency. Finally, it emphasizes that mastering undergraduate-level foundational knowledge, such as assembly language and operating systems, is crucial for understanding the low-level mechanisms of computer operation and breaking free from "black box" thinking. This knowledge is not merely a coding technique but serves as the cornerstone for tackling complex system challenges and designing efficient, secure architectures.