Assembly Language: Still Relevant in the Age of LLMs?

Even in the age of Large Language Models (LLMs), learning assembly language remains valuable. This article explores the relevance of assembly language, particularly in the context of DeepSeek's use of Nvidia's PTX intermediate language to accelerate networking operations. While high-level languages and LLMs can generate code, understanding assembly provides crucial insights into how computers work and aids in debugging higher-level code. The article compares seven assembly languages across different architectures (retro 6502, Z80, 8086, 68000 and modern x86-64, ARM, RISC-V), evaluating them based on learning materials, learning curve, ease of use, accessibility, and fun. Ultimately, RISC-V is recommended as the best option for beginners due to its clear learning path, abundant resources, and promising future.