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    +1, and I'd upvote it more if I could. Every serious developer needs to be able to read ASM for this if no other reason. Commented Dec 17, 2010 at 15:54
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    The corollary to this is optimization. Knowing how the complier translates your code into assembly can help you to make it dramatically faster! Commented Dec 17, 2010 at 17:54
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    +1 Assembly is one of the only languages that force you to understand how a processor actually works. It helps you in your development with high level language. Must read: blogs.msdn.com/b/ericlippert/archive/2010/09/30/… Commented Dec 17, 2010 at 19:52
  • Knowing the underlying computer is INSANELY helpful, whether for debugging, optimization, or sheer curiosity. Seriously, learn to read at least one or two families of assembly language. Even if you never read it or write it after learning it, it will affect the way that you understand things in the future. Now, if you would rather write in no other language, that might be a bit much... Commented Dec 17, 2010 at 23:26
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    @Mason: I don't know if "every serious developer" needs to be able to read ASM. If you are writing JavaScript or using a programming language built atop a thick framework (like .NET or Java), I wouldn't regard being able to read ASM as essential to being a serious developer. That being said, having an understanding of how the computer executes instructions on a very low level can be quite helpful, even in higher order programming languages and environments. Commented Dec 18, 2010 at 0:01