1-1
CHAPTER 1
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
The Intel Architecture Software Developers Manual, Volume 1: Basic Architecture (Order
Number 243190) is part of a three-volume set that describes the architecture and programming
environment of all Intel Architecture (IA) processors. The other two volumes in this set are:
The Intel Architecture Software Developers Manual, Volume 2: Instruction Set Reference
(Order Number 243191).
The Intel Architecture Software Developers Manual, Volume 3: System Programming
Guide (Order Number 243192).
The Intel Architecture Software Developers Manual, Volume 1, describes the basic architecture
and programming environment of an IA processor; the Intel Architecture Software Developers
Manual, Volume 2, describes the instruction set of the processor and the opcode structure. These
two volumes are aimed at application programmers who are writing programs to run under
existing operating systems or executives. The Intel Architecture Software Developers Manual,
Volume 3 describes the operating-system support environment of an IA processor, including
memory management, protection, task management, interrupt and exception handling, and
system management mode. It also provides IA processor compatibility information. This
volume is aimed at operating-system and BIOS designers and programmers.
1.1.OVERVIEW OF THE INTEL ARCHITECTURE SOFTWARE
DEVELOPERS MANUAL, VOLUME 1: BASIC
ARCHITECTURE
The contents of this manual are as follows:
Chapter 1 About This Manual. Gives an overview of all three volumes of the Intel Archi-
tecture Software Developers Manual. It also describes the notational conventions in these
manuals and lists related Intel manuals and documentation of interest to programmers and hard-
ware designers.
Chapter 2 Introduction to the Intel Architecture. Introduces the IA and the families of
Intel processors that are based on this architecture. It also gives an overview of the common
features found in these processors and brief history of the IA.
Chapter 3 Basic Execution Environment. Introduces the models of memory organization
and describes the register set used by applications.
Chapter 4 Procedure Calls, Interrupts, and Exceptions. Describes the procedure stack
and the mechanisms provided for making procedure calls and for servicing interrupts and excep-
tions.
