17.4. Function Call and Return

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does the Program Counter (PC) do?

   Hint

   Think about the role of the PC in terms of instruction execution.

2. 2.

   Define what a stack is.

   Hint

   Visualize how plates are stacked in a cafeteria.

3. 3.

   What does the stack pointer do?

   • Points to the next instruction
   • Holds the return address
   • Tracks the top of the stack

   Hint

   Consider how a pointer usually directs to something.

4. 4.

   True or False? An unconditional jump will always depend on the state of flags.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about the nature of unconditional actions.

5. 5.

   Describe a scenario where a conditional jump may fail and what implications it may have on a program's execution.

   Hint

   Think of what conditions must be true for a jump to succeed.

6. 6.

   Illustrate a stack scenario with three function calls and returns; what does the stack look like after each operation?

   Hint

   Visualize stack entries like a stack of plates where the latest call sits on top waiting to be returned.