Do these 2 codes do same thing?

[inyeop]

//RAM[17] = 10
@17
M = 10

or
//RAM[17] = 10
@10
D=A
@17
M=D

Thanks!

[ybakos]

Conceptually, yes, they have the same end result.

(Note that you cannot use a constant in the command M = 10.)

Edit: correction below...

[inyeop]

But I see in Branching lecture, I see that

@R1
M=0

or
@R1
M=1

I'm a little confused about when I can use direct assignment vs indirect using "D".

[ybakos]

You are correct, and my original response is not accurate. I should have said "We can only use the literal constants 0 and 1."

For all other constants, we must use an A instruction.

Thank you for pointing out my error!

[inyeop]

Ah.. Thanks! I much appreciate it. :)

[cadet1620]

You can also directly set A, D or M to -1.

These are "C-instructions" (4.2.3)
    dest=comp;jump
where the dest field is one or more of A, D or M, and the comp field is 0, 1 or -1.

--Mark

[ybakos]

Somebody is getting rusty!