I couldn't disagree more. Having tried the perfection that is MASM, I'm always disappointed by what NASM lacks in comparison and I'm not at all comfortable wit

I couldn't disagree more. Having tried the perfection that is MASM, I'm always disappointed by what NASM lacks in comparison and I'm not at all comfortable with GAS. Choosing a good assembler, an assembler that you like, that you're comfortable with, is critical.