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

Implement binary heap in c++?, A:BinaryHeap.h ------------ #ifndef BI...

A:BinaryHeap.h ------------ #ifndef BINARY_HEAP_H_ #define BINARY_HEAP_H_ #include "dsexceptions.h" #include "vector.h" // BinaryHeap class // CONSTRUCTION: wi

Explain type casting, Type Casting Implicit type conversions, as allowe...

Type Casting Implicit type conversions, as allowed by the language, can lead to errors creeping in the program if care is not taken. Thus, explicit type conversions may be used

Program to develope dating service to form couples, In this assignment, you...

In this assignment, you will develop a program named "match" to be used by a dating service to form couples. Given the number of gentlemen, the number of ladies, and a list of acce

Program, write a program that adds all numbers from 1 to 200

write a program that adds all numbers from 1 to 200

C , why c is middle level language?

why c is middle level language?

Wap to print series from 1 to 10 & find its square and cube, WAP TO PRINT S...

WAP TO PRINT SERIES FROM 1 TO 10 & FIND ITS SQUARE AND CUBE # include stdio.h> # include conio.h> # include math.h>   void main () { int a=1,sqr=0,cube=0;

User-defined data type, Explain  U s e r - D e f i n e d D a t a...

Explain  U s e r - D e f i n e d D a t a T y p es? C has Union and Structure as user-defined data types.  C++ has class which looks like structure with a

Program to print a series, Write a program called Series that will print/di...

Write a program called Series that will print/display a series of numbers starting with 1 and ending with the last number that is less than 30. The series should include only odd n

Using functions create a program, In rPeANUt implement the "char getchar()"...

In rPeANUt implement the "char getchar()" and "void printstring(char *str)" functions. Using these functions implement the following: void main() {    while (1) {       ch

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