What Processor are you interested in writing assembly in?
Intel?
Motorola?
National Semiconductor?
etc?
These manufactures have data books available (free) that have their specific assembly code.
If you have more specific questions let me know.
For what microprocessor do you want to learn assembly language programming? The instruction neumonics are different for each brand. That is why people use C. Then the compiler takes cares of the differences. I can write assembly language for 4 different types of micros, but I have to stop each time and review what the neumonics for each is, before I start writing. I will use C anytime I can.
OK, why buy? You have a microprocessor in your computer. Boot into DOS. Write your program, compile it will a free assembler you can find on the web and see if it runs. There are lots of resources on the web for writing, compiling and testing in assembly. If you really want to BUY a microprocessor, then chose one for which you can get a software emulator to test your code before downloading into the micro. That will save you a lot of time and grief trying to debug your code. A PIC or an ATMEL is a better choice than the motorola because of the available tools and support. My $.02
I agree. Programming an x86 micro is easy, fun, and rewarding. Conceptually, there is no difference between microprocessors, unless you start getting into RISC versus CISC type. Therefore, use what is available to you, your computer! Also, if you want to start actually interfacing between your micro and the rest of the world, all of the hardware already exists (and is located in the box).
Here's a good book for 8086->Pentium II (the PII is the last x86 micro that I programmed, but all new pentiums are backward compatible) assembly programming:
"Assembly Language for the IBM-PC, 2nd Edition", by Kip R. Irvine.
I had assembly in college for PC's. It was fun but I haven't used it since. Assembly for microcontrollers is the way to learn and it is seems to be more useful for EE's. Still either will give you the basic concepts. Microchip has alot of sample programs etc available as well.
