• 1. Encoding
• 2. Description
• 3. Operation
• 4. Flags Affected
• 5. Exceptions
  • 5.1. Protected Mode
  • 5.2. Real-Address Mode
  • 5.3. Virtual-8086 Mode
  • 5.4. Compatibility Mode
  • 5.5. Long Mode

AAM: ASCII Adjust AX After Multiplication

Encoding

Description

The AAM instruction converts the result of a multiplication of two BCD digits to a valid 2-digit BCD number.

This instruction will not be useful unless it immediately follows an MUL instruction.

Traditionally, this instruction is called "ASCII Adjust After Multiplication". This would lead one to believe that it works on ASCII digits (030h (0) through 039h (9)), however this would be incorrect. This instruction actually operates on BCD digits (00h (0) through 09h (9)).

Due to a quirk of history, this instruction encodes the base of the result in the instruction (the second byte). As such, it is possible to have this instruction work on other bases through an immediate 8 bit operand. Such methods are not guaranteed to be supported by your assembler, and in such situations, one must encode the instruction directly.

This instruction is not valid in 64 bit mode, and if encountered, the processor will raise a #UD exception.

Operation

public void AAM(byte imm8) {
  AH = AL / imm8;
  AL = AL & imm8;
}

Flags Affected

CF (carry flag)

Undefined.

PF (parity flag)

Set based on the resulting value in AL.

AF (auxiliary flag)

Undefined.

ZF (zero flag)

Set based on the resulting value in AL.

SF (sign flag)

Set based on the resulting value in AL.

OF (overflow flag)

Undefined.

Exceptions

Protected Mode

#DE

If an immediate value of 0 is used.

#UD

If the LOCK prefix is used.

Real-Address Mode

Same exceptions as protected mode.

Virtual-8086 Mode

Same exceptions as protected mode.

Compatibility Mode

Same exceptions as protected mode.

Long Mode

#UD

If in 64 bit mode.