Compatibility with HLL Compilers (C++, C#) and Operating Systems

The integration of assembler code with applications written in high-level languages brings benefits in particular scenarios, such as the implementation of complex mathematical algorithms and real-time tasks that require efficient and compact code. Nowadays, no one uses an assembler to implement a graphical user interface (GUI), as there is no reason to do so. Modern desktop operating systems are designed to provide a rich user experience, supporting languages such as C#, C++, and Python in the implementation of user interfaces (UIs) through the use of libraries. While those UI generation functions can be executed from the assembler level, there is virtually no reason to do it. A more effective approach is when the main application is written in a high-level language and executes assembly code as needed to perform backend operations efficiently.

Windows OS historically supports unmanaged code, written primarily in C++. This kind of code runs directly on the CPU. Since the introduction of the .NET framework, Windows has provided developers with a safer way of executing their code, called “managed code”. The difference is that managed code, written commonly in C#, is executed by a .NET framework interpreter rather than being compiled to machine code, as unmanaged code is. The use of managed code brings multiple advantages for developers, including automated memory management and code isolation from the operating system. This, however, raises several challenges when integrating managed code and assembly code.