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

Recursion, Solve the Nine Queens problem recursively. The objective is to p...

Solve the Nine Queens problem recursively. The objective is to place nine queens on an empty chessboard so that no queen is “attacking” any other, i.e., no two queens are in the sa

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

Simple program of c++ , Simple program of c++: int main() {    i...

Simple program of c++: int main() {    int   bushels;    float dollars, rate;                 cout                 cin >> dollars;                 cout

Verification class, I need help to understand and do this assignment ******...

I need help to understand and do this assignment ********************************************************* You are to insert the missing code in the C program given for combinatio

What is structure, What is Structure? An Array is a data structure who...

What is Structure? An Array is a data structure whose elements are all of the similar data type. The structure is a data structure whose individual elements are able to differ

Program of swapping in c++, Program of swapping two varibales: void sw...

Program of swapping two varibales: void swap(int *, int *);   // This is swap's prototype int main() {                 int x = 5, y = 7;                 swap(&x, &

C program to compute the factorial, Write a C program to compute the factor...

Write a C program to compute the factorial of  5 i.e 1x2x3x4x5 etc #include stdio.h   void main()   {   char promt;      int factor;   factor = 1*2*3*4*5;   printf("The fac

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