High-Level Assembler

What Does High-Level Assembler Mean?

High-level assembler (HLASM) is an assembler programming language developed by IBM and released in June 1992. HLASM mainly works within IBM-based operating systems.

At the time HLASM was IBM’s first new assembler language since 1972.

Techopedia Explains High-Level Assembler

HSLAM shares characteristics common to other assembler programs. For example, it translates any basic computer instruction into binary code – the final form of code that can be processed by a computer.

HSLAM had many enhancements over IBM’s older assembler programs such as DOS/VSE and VSE/AF. For example, HLASM included support for older applications, common task automation and cross-referencing, allowing for more efficient development and administration. HLASM also improved debugging power, providing greater code-finding efficiency.

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Margaret Rouse

Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.

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