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

Masm procedure to perform letter case conversion, Assignment:  write a C pr...

Assignment:  write a C program and a MASM procedure.  The C program calls the MASM procedure to perform letter case conversion. Text sections covered:  12.1 to 12.3.1 Write a

Describe how can i allocate/unallocate an array of things?, A: Use p = new ...

A: Use p = new T[n] and delete[] p:   Fred* p = new Fred[100]; ... delete[] p; Any time you allocate an array of objects through new (generally with the [n] in the n

What is virtual class and friend class, Friend classes are used when two or...

Friend classes are used when two or more classes are designed to work together and require access to each other's execution in ways that the rest of the world shouldn't be permitte

Padovan string, padovan string for natural numbers program in java /...

padovan string for natural numbers program in java // aakash , suraj , prem sasi kumar kamaraj college program 1 : package test.padovanstring; public class Padov

Padovan string, write a program that counts the number of occurrences of th...

write a program that counts the number of occurrences of the string in the n-th Padovan string P(n)   program in java // aakash , suraj , prem sasi kumar kamaraj college

Padovan string, #question:-program to counts tha no of occurances of the st...

#question:-program to counts tha no of occurances of the string in the nth padovan string

Solution, Damjibhai and Shamjibhai are two jeweler friends. They decide to ...

Damjibhai and Shamjibhai are two jeweler friends. They decide to play a simple game. The game comprises of removing the jewels for polishing, turn by turn. Once a jewel is removed

Explain input output function, Input Output Most languages have "statem...

Input Output Most languages have "statements" to perform I/O . Though in C and C++ we use "functions" to perform I/O. C++ also has its own I/O mechanism - the cin and cout obje

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