This User's Guide describes how to use the Java Assembler Tools (AsmTools) in your projects. This guide also includes Assembler Tools implementation details and describes the syntax of the JASM and JCOD languages.
AsmTools is a software package containing a collection of tools that you can use to encode and decode a Java class file, without using a Javac compiler. You can use AsmTools to create class files which can not normally be produced by a compiler. These class files can be used during the development process to test the compliance of a Virtual Machine (VM) to its specification.
This guide is primarily intended for software engineers who test the Java virtual machine. Of course, these tools may be useful for anyone producing an application or tool that needs to accept or reject Java .class files
Before reading this guide, familiarize yourself with the main concepts in the Java Class File (chapter 4) of the Java Virtual Machine Specification.
This guide consists of the following sections:
Chapter 1 describes the code assembly process in general, and introduces the Asm Tools.
Chapter 2 introduces the two types of assemblers/dissassemblers in Asm Tools (JASM, JCoder), and the strengths and applications of each.
Chapter 3 introduces the syntax of the JASM and JCoder formats.
Appendix A provides a detailed view of the JASM syntax
Appendix B provides a detailed view of JCoder syntax
| Typeface | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| AaBbCc123 | The names of commands, files, and directories; on‐screen computer output | Edit your .loginfile. Use ls -a to list all files. $ You have mail |
| AaBbCc123 | What you type, when contrasted with on-screen computer output | % su Password: |
| AaBbCc123 | Book titles, new words or terms, words to be emphasized. Replace command-line variables with real names or values. | Read Chapter 6 in the User's Guide. These are called class options. To delete a file, type rm filename. |
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