title: How does the .quad directive work in assembly?
body: <p>I'm having trouble understanding how the <code>.quad</code> function works in assembly.  </p>
  
  <p>From what I read online, it generates a 64 bit twos-complement value for each expression into the current section. I understand what twos-complement is and the fact that section is referencing the line that <code>.quad</code> is called to.  </p>
  
  <p>Where and when is <code>.quad</code> usually called in assembly?<br>
  Also, why use <code>.quad</code> to generate anything?</p>