Anonymous Coward writes:
"Dan Luu, in his blog, suggests that editing binaries is something that we should consider from time to time. From that blog:
Editing binaries is a trick that comes in handy a few times a year. You don't often need to, but when you do, there's no alternative. When I mention patching binaries, I get one of two reactions: complete shock or no reaction at all. As far as I can tell, this is because most people have one of these two models of the world:
- There exists source code. Compilers do something to source code to make it runnable. If you change the source code, different things happen.
- There exists a processor. The processor takes some bits and decodes them to make things happen. If you change the bits, different things happen.
If you have the first view, breaking out a hex editor to modify a program is the action of a deranged lunatic. If you have the second view, editing binaries is the most natural thing in the world. Why wouldn't you just edit the binary?"
(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Tuesday March 25 2014, @02:50PM
NASM [www.nasm.us] is available in the Linux package repos, if that helps at all.
The textbook they taught me assembly out of is available online [drpaulcarter.com] as a PDF, too, which I would recommend for those already acquainted with programming but not assembly.
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"