2.2.4. Infinite Loops in Control Instructions

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does the overflow flag indicate?

   Hint

   Think about what happens when you add two large numbers.

2. 2.

   Define an infinite loop.

   Hint

   Consider what would happen in a program without exit conditions.

3. 3.

   What does the zero flag indicate after an addition operation?

   • The result was zero
   • An overflow occurred
   • A carry was generated

   Hint

   Consider what happens when you add numbers that cancel each other out.

4. 4.

   True or False: An unconditional jump will always check the flags before executing.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall the definition of unconditional jumps.

5. 5.

   Design a small assembly-like program segment using both unconditional and conditional jumps that implements a counting loop from 0 to 10.

   Hint

   Make sure to test your jumps and condition checks carefully.

6. 6.

   Explain how altering the condition check in a loop could affect its execution. What are potential pitfalls?

   Hint

   Think of how a condition might never evaluate to false.