Final answer:
The hw08.c file is a driver program in C to test assembly subroutines that the student is expected to implement. It ensures the subroutines work correctly with the given declarations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of the hw08.c file is to act as a C program that calls assembly subroutines which you, the student, are expected to implement. The file likely serves as a driver program to test the assembly subroutines you write, ensuring they conform to the specified function declarations and perform the intended tasks successfully. This kind of setup is common in computer science and software engineering education, where students are tasked with integrating software components and testing them in a controlled environment.