Assembly language fundamentals: which statement best characterizes an assembly language instruction in relation to computer operations and representation?

Introduction / Context:
Assembly language provides a human-readable layer over machine code. Programmers write mnemonics and operands that map closely to machine instructions, enabling fine control over CPU features while avoiding raw binary encodings.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Machine language is the true binary (ones and zeros) executed by processors.
• Assembly uses mnemonics (e.g., MOV, ADD, JMP) that assemble to opcodes.
• Understanding registers, addressing, and the ISA helps use assembly effectively.

Concept / Approach:
The key characteristic is the near one-to-one mapping between assembly statements and machine operations. While macros and pseudo-instructions can expand to multiple operations, the typical model is one assembly instruction to one machine instruction. This differentiates assembly from high-level languages that compile many statements into assorted instruction sequences.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Distinguish assembly (mnemonics) from machine code (binary) to reject the “ones and zeros” claim.Recall that effective assembly programming relies on knowledge of registers, memory layouts, and addressing modes, contradicting the claim that no design knowledge is needed.Affirm the defining trait: one instruction usually corresponds to one computer operation.

Verification / Alternative check:
Assembler outputs show a direct mapping from mnemonic to opcode/operands; disassemblers invert that mapping.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A describes machine language, not assembly. Option C is false; assembly use requires ISA knowledge. Option D groups incorrect statements.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing pseudo-instructions with true one-to-one mapping; pseudo-instructions are conveniences provided by assemblers.

Final Answer:
It typically corresponds to one computer operation (one machine instruction).