title: What was the original reason for the design of AT&T assembly syntax?
body: <p>When using assembly instructions on x86 or amd64, programmer can use "Intel" (i.e. <code>nasm</code> compiler) or "AT&amp;T" (i.e. <code>gas</code> compiler) assembly syntax. "Intel" syntax is more popular on Windows, but "AT&amp;T" is more popular on UNIX(-like) systems.</p>
  
  <p>But both Intel and AMD manuals, so manuals created by the creators of the chip, are both using the "Intel" syntax.</p>
  
  <p>I'm wondering, what was the original idea behind the design of the "AT&amp;T" syntax? What was the benefit for floating away from notation used by the creators of the processor?</p>