Summary
Highlights
The speaker introduces himself as a security researcher and an educator who teaches low-level programming by focusing on languages like C and assembly. He aims to explain how to get started in low-level programming as fast as possible.
The first step is to learn a low-level language like C. This language provides direct access to memory, forcing you to learn effective memory management and defensive coding practices. A recommended project for C learners is to write an HTTP server, which teaches networking, RFC interpretation, and defensive programming against potential attacks.
The second step involves learning an assembly variant. Understanding how the CPU works at the instruction level provides insights into code behavior and helps optimize code design for better performance. A practical exercise is to compile a C code snippet and then use 'object dump' to reverse engineer its assembly, grasping the basics of the CPU architecture.
The third step is to learn the basics of reverse engineering. This skill is beneficial for malware analysis, bug hunting, and understanding how compilers produce final binaries. Reverse engineering challenges, like those found on crack.one, teach specific facts about CPU functions and binary construction, forming a comprehensive understanding over time.
As a bonus, learning to write C on a microcontroller board (e.g., STM32, Arduino, ESP32) is highly recommended. This practice helps in reading datasheets, interpreting them, and porting code to specific architectures, keeping engineers connected to the fundamental workings of CPUs as technology advances.