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

Compiler design, Compiler Design - Limit In The Method Instructions

Compiler Design - Limit In The Method Instructions

C program for bank account, Aim: To implement a program for bank account u...

Aim: To implement a program for bank account using static data type. Code: class bank {             static int acc_no;             int acc;             float b

Assignment, write a c program chat illustrates the creation of child proces...

write a c program chat illustrates the creation of child process using fork system call. One process finds sum of even series and other process finds sum of odd series.

Compute the canny edges, If we take the input image and smooth it with a Ga...

If we take the input image and smooth it with a Gaussian of a significant size before computing the Canny edges does the number of edges change, and do the locations of these edges

Program with inbuilt functions, write a atm program in c with inbuilt funct...

write a atm program in c with inbuilt functions for 1782?

C with thread , #I have assignment c with unix thread multiplication progr...

#I have assignment c with unix thread multiplication program ..

Explain function templates, Function Templates Function templates give ...

Function Templates Function templates give you with the capability to write a one function that is a skeleton, or template, for a family of similar functions. In function ov

C program to calculate area of cube, Aim: To implement program to calculat...

Aim: To implement program to calculate area of cube using inline function. Code: inline void area_cube(float side) {             float area;             are

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