H4: Activation Records
Assignment:
Write a short report comparing at least two different implementations
of activations records.
Description:
An activation record (AR), also called a stack frame, is used to store
dynamic information about a procedure call.
The design of an AR is influenced by the programming language and the
machine.
However, there is great latitude for the compiler designer.
Your task is to compare different activation records.
There are several ways to find different activation records.
Here are three examples.
- Two compilers for the same language/machine combination,
ie, cc/gcc on Sun.
- Two programming languages on the same machine, ie, Fortran (f95) and
C (cc) on Sun.
- Two machines for the same compiler, ie, gcc on Sun and x86.
It is important to pick your different activation record instances
correctly.
You want differences and similarities--it makes for a better
discussion.
You may compare more than two AR formats.
Turnin:
A hardcopy report that first explains the ARs.
Explain how it works
Then compare the ARs formats.
Limit reports to a maximum 5 pages (not counting appendices, tables,
and figures).
All papers are to be typeset (or type written?) using
10- to 12-point font, single-spaced.
Pages will be numbered; paragraphs will be right- (and left) justified.
The paper will be formatted in one column and printed single-sided.
Page counts given for specific assignments exclude figures, tables,
appendices, and the abstract.
Grading:
Grading has two components: Presentation and Content.
Presentation is worth 25%, and is concerned with the writing, format,
etc. of the document.
Content (worth 75%) is concerned with the technical details of your
comparison.
vin@nd.edu
Last modified: Wed Mar 27 14:49:21 EST 2002