Functions and stack frame, C/C++ Programming

Assignment Help:

Each function has its own stack frame between %fp and %sp. Let Caller calls Callee. Then Caller's %sp becomes callee's %fp, and callee's %sp set to be a new value (a smaller one because stack grows from large address to small address). You can think that Callee's stack frame is on top of Caller's stack frame.

In Caller: put arguments in %o0 to %o5 registers or if number of arguments more than 6, prepare values in call linkage of the current stack frame. Then "call" address_of_callee; %o7 stored the returned address. (This %o7 will becomes %i7 in callee after the callee executes save instruction.)

In Callee: it executes "save" instruction:

  • 0. Caller's %i (input registers) and %l (local registers) are reserved in its own stack frame. They are put in the top portion of the caller's stack frame. Implication: the return address of Caller (NOT CALLEE), %i7, is stored there.
  • 1. set callee's %i (input registers) by callers %o (output registers). The implication: pass parameters and return address now is in %i7. And now callee's fp (%i6) <-- caller's sp (%o6).
  • 2. Allocate space for new frame pointers. Caller's sp (%o6) is now set to be the new value.

So at this point in callee, %i6 (%fp was caller's %o6) is set, and %o6 (%sp is set to be a new value). Question: where is the old %fp? It is stored somewhere in the top portion of the previous stack frame (see step 0.) The return address of Callee is stored in %i7. Is it possible to write a program to overflow this %i7? What return address that you really can overflow? Question: how to access that return address.

The "restore" instruction is the inverse function of save. Then the "ret" instruction should branch to %i7+8. The normal address should be %i7+4 as the next instruction address after call. The extra 4 is because sparc has a "branch delay" instruction that is executed BEFORE the call is made even it is put just after CALL. Is it strange. Not really. This is because modern CPU is a pipeline machine. It loads instruction every clock cycle, and branch (or jump or call) somewhat cannot be really done until the later stage the pipeline. And then it is already too late because the one JUST after this branch has already been executed. If you want to know more, you should take a look at computer architecture textbook which I think every graduate should know.

You should be very clear what return address in server.c is overflowed? Is it the return address of main() or the return address of copy()?


Related Discussions:- Functions and stack frame

Described overriding?, In order to override a method, a subclass of the cla...

In order to override a method, a subclass of the class which originally declared the method have to declare a method along with the same name, return type (or a subclass of that re

How can one make it so keys pressed through users are , How can one make it...

How can one make it so keys pressed through users are not echoed on the screen? A: It is not a standard C++ feature. C++ doesn't even need your system to have a keyboard or a sc

After p = new fred[n], After p = new Fred[n], how does the compiler know ab...

After p = new Fred[n], how does the compiler know about n objects to be destructed throughout delete[] p? A:  The run-time system hold the number of objects, n, somewhere where

Radix sort - c program, Radix sort - C program: Write a program in c t...

Radix sort - C program: Write a program in c to define a radix sort. void main() {  int array[100],n;  int i;  void radix(int *,int);  printf ("How many nos\

#c++ homework, write c++programm that converts degrees Kelvin (TK) to degr...

write c++programm that converts degrees Kelvin (TK) to degrees Fahrenheit(TR) recall that TF=(9/5)TK and that TF=TR-459.67

C program to print fibonacci series, C program to print fibonacci series: ...

C program to print fibonacci series: int fibo(long int); void main() {                 long int a=0,n;                 printf ("how many terms\n");

Explain reference types, Reference Types The symbol "&" is interpreted ...

Reference Types The symbol "&" is interpreted as an address operator as well as AND operator. This operator is also used to declare a "reference variable". A reference is refer

#accept 3 digit number, Write a ''C'' program to accept any 3 digit integer...

Write a ''C'' program to accept any 3 digit integer number from the keyboard and display the word equivalent representation of the given number

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd