ARM64 Assembly Debugging with TST and CMP Instructions

Debugging low-level ARM64 code can feel like trying to read a foreign language without a dictionary. Understanding how the processor makes decisions through comparisons and flag registers is the key to unlocking assembly-level debugging. In this course, you will transition from guessing how branch instructions work to precisely predicting control flow in ARM64 assembly. You will gain a solid foundation in reading processor state changes and analyzing register values using GDB. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the core differences between logical comparison (TST) and arithmetic comparison (CMP) instructions. 2. Analyze how the ARM64 Current Program Status Register (CPSR) flags change during execution. 3. Practice reading register states and memory values within a GDB environment. 4. Map high-level conditional statements to their corresponding assembly-level branch instructions. 5. Learn to trace program flow step-by-step to identify logic errors in compiled code. You will start by mastering foundational ARM64 architecture concepts and register layouts before diving into debugging scenarios. Through clear text explanations and code disassembly examples, you will follow the step-by-step execution of comparison operations. This course is designed for beginner reverse engineers, security enthusiasts, and software developers who want to understand low-level system behavior. No prior assembly experience is required. Start reading today to demystify ARM64 debugging and take control of your low-level analysis.