In assembly language programming, the symbolic operation codes and operands used to represent machine instructions are called what?

Introduction / Context:
Assembly language provides a human-readable layer over raw opcodes by using symbolic names. Knowing the proper term for these symbolic instruction names and operand descriptors is essential for low-level programming.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We discuss symbols used in assembly language.
• These symbols stand for machine instructions or addressing forms.
• We need the precise terminology.

Concept / Approach:
Mnemonics are short, memorable tokens (e.g., MOV, ADD, SUB, JMP) that correspond directly to machine instructions. Operands can be registers, immediates, or memory references, also expressed symbolically. The assembler later translates mnemonics and symbolic labels into opcodes and addresses.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify what the symbols represent: instruction names and operands.Map to recognized term: mnemonics for operations; symbols/labels for addresses.Therefore, the correct answer is ‘‘Mnemonics.’’

Verification / Alternative check:
Any assembly listing or reference manual uses mnemonics as the canonical human-readable instruction identifiers.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Codes: Too generic; does not specifically mean assembly instruction words.
• Assembler: The tool that translates mnemonics; not the symbols themselves.
• All of the above: Incorrect because only mnemonics precisely fits.
• None of the above: Incorrect since mnemonics is correct.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the assembler (the program) with the mnemonic (the symbolic instruction). The assembler consumes mnemonics.

Final Answer:
Mnemonics