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

What happens while a function throws an exception which , Q-What happens wh...

Q-What happens while a function throws an exception which was not specified through an exception specification for this function? A: Unexpected() is called, which, by default, w

Program to sort a range of numbers with insertion, Program to sort a range ...

Program to sort a range of numbers with Insertion: /* define variable */ const int max=29000; int list[max]; FILE *fp; clock_t start,end; char any1[8];

Computer programing, pls give me answer 01110-00110 in 2''s comlpiment in d...

pls give me answer 01110-00110 in 2''s comlpiment in detail

Artificial block, What if I cannot wrap the local in an artificial block? n...

What if I cannot wrap the local in an artificial block? need help on Artificial Block in c++.

Pawnbroker software to be written in vb, Pawnbroker software to be written ...

Pawnbroker software to be written in VB Project Description: I want software written for my pawnshop. I am currently using a program called pawnboss but would like to have my

KRPano, I am seeking an expert to create a 360 degree virtual tour in KRPan...

I am seeking an expert to create a 360 degree virtual tour in KRPano for use on PCs, tablets and smartphones. You will be given with panoramas in order to create an advanced KRPano

Sentence, Consider text comprised of sentences and sentences comprised of w...

Consider text comprised of sentences and sentences comprised of words. Words in a sentence will be space delimited. Given a text and K strings, task is to find out the number valid

Function, #q•Design and code a new function that accepts as parameters the ...

#q•Design and code a new function that accepts as parameters the gross pay by value and the federal tax, state tax, local tax, SS tax, and net Pay by reference. Calculate the taxes

Doubt!, find the greater of the two variables, without using conditional lo...

find the greater of the two variables, without using conditional loops or ternary operators?

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