3. Run-Time Environment

This chapter describes the C/C++ run-time environment. To ensure successful execution of C/C++ programs, it is critical that all run-time code maintain this environment. It is also important to follow the guidelines in this chapter if you write assembly language functions that interface with C/C++ code.

Table of Contents

• 3.1. Memory Model
  • 3.1.1. Sections
  • 3.1.2. C/C++ System Stack
  • 3.1.3. Dynamic Memory Allocation
• 3.2. Object Representation
  • 3.2.1. Data Type Storage
  • 3.2.2. Structure and Array Alignment
  • 3.2.3. Bit Fields
  • 3.2.4. Character String Constants
• 3.3. Register Conventions
• 3.4. Function Structure and Calling Conventions
  • 3.4.1. How a Function Makes a Call
  • 3.4.2. How a Called Function Responds
  • 3.4.3. C Exception Handler Calling Convention
  • 3.4.4. Accessing Arguments and Local Variables
• 3.5. Accessing Linker Symbols in C and C++
• 3.6. Interfacing C and C++ With Assembly Language
  • 3.6.1. Using Assembly Language Modules With C/C++ Code
  • 3.6.2. Accessing Assembly Language Functions From C/C++
  • 3.6.3. Accessing Assembly Language Variables From C/C++
  • 3.6.4. Sharing C/C++ Header Files With Assembly Source
  • 3.6.5. Using Inline Assembly Language
  • 3.6.6. Modifying Compiler Output
• 3.7. Interrupt Handling
  • 3.7.1. Saving Registers During Interrupts
  • 3.7.2. Using C/C++ Interrupt Routines
  • 3.7.3. Using Assembly Language Interrupt Routines
  • 3.7.4. How to Map Interrupt Routines to Interrupt Vectors
  • 3.7.5. Using Software Interrupts
  • 3.7.6. Other Interrupt Information
• 3.8. Intrinsic Run-Time-Support Arithmetic and Conversion Routines
• 3.9. Built-In Functions
• 3.10. System Initialization
  • 3.10.1. Boot Hook Functions for System Pre-Initialization
  • 3.10.2. Run-Time Stack
  • 3.10.3. Automatic Initialization of Variables