This document discusses interfacing a 7-segment display with an 8051 microcontroller. There are two common types of 7-segment displays - common cathode and common anode. An 8051, 7-segment display, 2-4 decoder, transistors, and power supply are needed. Lookup tables store the segment patterns for digits 0-9 depending on the display type. Assembly code samples show how to display digits on one or four 7-segment displays by selecting the correct display using a 2-4 decoder connected to ports on the 8051.