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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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20 years ago

Frame pointer...

I am reading a 

gcc -S sample1.c

output of a file. There is a mention about frame pointer. What exactly is a frame pointer what does it do and how diff is it from stack pointer. I read that it is same as stack pointer most of the time.

EX ox usage of stack pointer 

.....
pfx -1
st , %g1
movi %g1, 2
.....

Any help will be appreciated. http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

santosh@asip

1 Reply

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    20 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    originally posted by santosh_pisa@Nov 23 2005, 07:28 AM

    there is a mention about frame pointer. what exactly is a frame pointer what does it do and how diff is it from stack pointer. i read that it is same as stack pointer most of the time.

    <div align='right'><{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=11099)

    --- quote end ---

    --- Quote End ---

    The frame pointer is a register used to access automatic variables of the current function in the stack frame (it is the same as EBP on a i386).

    It is also used by debuggers to try to understand the current function call nesting.

    bye

    Paolo