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

Setup and source code with nice user interface, Virtual Webcam effects - Se...

Virtual Webcam effects - Setup and Source code with Nice User Interface Project Description: I want a similar webcam effects application which can apply effects to webcam fee

Stack, Implement multiple stacks in a single dimensional array. Write algor...

Implement multiple stacks in a single dimensional array. Write algorithms for various stack operations for them.

What is friend functions, Friend Functions One of the major features of...

Friend Functions One of the major features of OOP is information hiding. A class encapsulates data and methods to operate on that data in a single unit. The data from the class

Write a simple telephone book program, Write a simple telephone book progra...

Write a simple telephone book program that stores the names and phone numbers of your friends/acquaintances in a file. Your program should have the abilities to: a. Add entries (n

How the compiler arranges the several sections , Q: How the compiler arrang...

Q: How the compiler arranges the several sections in the executable image? A: The executable contained following sections: 1.      Data Section (initialized data variable sec

Queue - c++ program, Queue - C++ program: Write a program to show the ...

Queue - C++ program: Write a program to show the basic operations on queue. namespace stack {  const int max_size = 200;  char v(max_size);  int top=0;  void pu

STM32F103RET6, traffic light t junction I have 21 LEDs will 6 in each side...

traffic light t junction I have 21 LEDs will 6 in each side 3 for the cars the other 3 will be for the people across the street this will be for each side and the last 3 for show

For loop, write a c++ program for the sum of 10 numbers and print out the a...

write a c++ program for the sum of 10 numbers and print out the average

Source code, I hv an assignment to do, I almost done. But i cant find whats...

I hv an assignment to do, I almost done. But i cant find whats wrong- my code is to make a simple calculator using function''s all 4 patterns. I did like this- #include int add

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