Steps to compile an asm program. % nasm -f elf -F stabs helloasm.asm -o helloasm_stabs.o % ld -m elf_i386 helloasm_stabs.o -o helloasm_stabs % seergdb -s --sat yes --bf _start helloasm_stabs Find address to set start breakpoint. % objdump -f helloasm_stabs helloasm_stabs: file format elf32-i386 architecture: i386, flags 0x00000112: EXEC_P, HAS_SYMS, D_PAGED start address 0x08048080 Add a way to provide the breakpoint address/function in the debug dialog and start command line. Typical _start address is: 0x8048080 In gdb, to disassemble a range of memmory. 20 bytes before an address to 20 bytes after. (gdb) disassemble 0x08048080-20, +20