Two-Pass Assembler

A two-pass assembler processes source code in two passes. Pass 1: Scans the source code, identifies labels, and creates a symbol table of labels and their memory addresses. No machine code is generated. Pass 2: Scans the source code again, resolves forward references using the symbol table, and generates the actual machine code instructions. Two-pass assemblers effectively handle forward references and can improve the overall efficiency of the assembly process compared to single-pass assemblers.

The first pass generates a symbol table, while the second pass converts the program into machine code.