4. Instruction: Procedure CALL/RETURN
The chapter elaborates on the procedures in computer programming, focusing on the mechanics of calling and returning from procedures in a modular programming context. It discusses the roles of the stack, program counter, and program status word in managing the call context, particularly during nested procedure calls. Key concepts such as unconditional jumps and the importance of saving context in the stack are emphasized for understanding procedure manipulation in CPU architecture.
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What we have learnt
- Procedures are self-contained segments of code that necessitate jumps to specified memory locations during execution.
- Unconditional jumps are common for calling procedures, while conditional jumps may be employed based on specific program states.
- The stack plays a crucial role in preserving the execution context, allowing for nested procedure calls and returns in an organized manner.
Key Concepts
- -- Procedure Call
- A procedure call is a method for invoking a subroutine, transferring control to that subroutine and retaining the previous execution state in the stack.
- -- Stack
- A stack is a data structure used to store the context of function calls, including the program counter, program status word, and variables to facilitate correct returns from procedures.
- -- Program Counter (PC)
- The program counter is a register that holds the address of the next instruction to be executed, which must be saved when a procedure is called and restored upon return.
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