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Find the largest among 8-bit N numbers | 8086 Microprocessor

In this tutorial, we will learn how to write an assembly language program in 8086 Microprocessor to find the largest among 8-bit N numbers? By Ayush Sharma Last updated : May 22, 2023

Problem Statement

Write a program in 8086 microprocessor to find out the largest among 8-bit n numbers, where size n is stored at memory address 2000 : 500 and the numbers are stored from memory address 2000 : 501 and store the result (largest number) into memory address 2000 : 600.

Algorithm

1. Load data from offset 500 to register CL and set register CH to 00 (for count).
2. Load first number (value) from next offset (i.e. 501) to register AL and decrease count by 1.
3. Now compare value of register AL from data(value) at next offset, if that data is greater than value of register AL then update value of register AL to that data else no change, and increase offset value for next comparison and decrease count by 1 and continue this till count (value of register CX) becomes 0.
4. Store the result (value of register AL) to memory address 2000 : 600.

Program

ADDRESS	MNEMONICS	COMMENTS
400	MOV SI, 500	SI ← 500
403	MOV CL, [SI]	CL ← [SI]
405	MOV CH, 00	CH ← 00
407	INC SI	SI ← SI+1
408	MOV AL, [SI]	AL ← [SI]
40A	DEC CL	CL ← CL-1
40C	INC SI	SI ← SI+1
40D	CMP AL, [SI]	AL-[SI]
40F	JNC 413	JUMP TO 413 IF CY=0
411	MOV AL, [SI]	AL ← [SI]
413	INC SI	SI ← SI+1
414	LOOP 40D	CX ← CX-1 & JUMP TO 40D IF CX NOT 0
416	MOV [600], AL	AL → [600]
41A	HLT	END

Explanation

1. MOV SI, 500: set the value of SI to 500
2. MOV CL, [SI]: load data from offset SI to register CL
3. MOV CH, 00: set value of register CH to 00
4. INC SI: increase value of SI by 1
5. MOV AL, [SI]: load value from offset SI to register AL
6. DEC CL: decrease value of register CL by 1
7. INC SI: increase value of SI by 1
8. CMP AL, [SI]: compares value of register AL and [SI] (AL-[SI])
9. JNC 413: jump to address 413 if carry not generated
10. MOV AL, [SI]: transfer data at offset SI to register AL
11. INC SI: increase value of SI by 1
12. LOOP 40C: decrease value of register CX by 1 and jump to address 40D if value of register CX is not zero
13. MOV [600], AL: store the value of register AL to offset 600
14. HLT: stop

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