Venn diagram of psuedo-ops and assembler directives

[jeffythedragonslayer]

On a Venn diagram, if I drew circles for things that are "psuedo-ops" and things that are "assembler directives," would these be concentric circles? (And if so which circle is inside which?) Or are they partially intersecting circles, or even identical circles (synonyms)?

[GARTHWILSON]

I've always thought they were the same thing. They're instructions for the assembler, rather than for the processor that will run the final assembled code.

[BigDumbDinosaur]

jeffythedragonslayer wrote:

On a Venn diagram, if I drew circles for things that are "psuedo-ops" and things that are "assembler directives," would these be concentric circles? (And if so which circle is inside which?) Or are they partially intersecting circles, or even identical circles (synonyms)?

The two terms refer to the same thing. “Pseudo-op” is an informal term that has been around as long as assembly language has been in use.

[jeffythedragonslayer]

I see, thanks. "directive" sounds like a more formal term.