8086 Address Alignment

magnetra · Nov 4, 2007

Intel 8086 has 16-bit data bus. The book on Assembly language programming by Peter Abel states "Because the 8086 processors have a a 16-bit data bus, they execute faster if accessed words begin on an even numbered address" (pg 105). I don't understand this requirement. What is the disadvantage with a word begins at a odd numbered address.
Pls clarify me on this!
Thanks
M

silvio · Nov 4, 2007

Hi Magnetra

Download the file from https://www.planetpdf.com/codecuts/pdfs/aoa.pdf

then read pages 87 to 91 Memory Subsystem

Fortunately, the 16 bit 80x86 CPUs hide these details from you. Your programs can access words at any address and the CPU will properly access and swap (if necessary) the data in memory. However, to access a word at an odd address requires two memory operations (just like the 8088/80188). Therefore, accessing words at odd addresses on a 16 bit processor is slower than accessing words at even addresses. By carefully arranging how you use memory, you can improve the speed of your program.

8086 Address Alignment

magnetra

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silvio

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magnetra

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8086 Address Alignment

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