If this is a homework assignment, you really should try to answer it on your own first, otherwise the value of the reinforcement of the lesson due to actually doing the assignment will be lost on you.
Interrupt and subroutine return addresses are stored on the stack, so the stack segment is used for interupt and subroutine addresses.
stack segment
In the 8086 microprocessor, the register that stores the interrupt and subroutine return address is the Instruction Pointer (IP) register. When an interrupt occurs or a subroutine is called, the current instruction address is pushed onto the stack, allowing the processor to return to that location after the interrupt or subroutine execution is complete. The IP register works in conjunction with the Code Segment (CS) register to determine the effective address of the next instruction to execute.
In the 8085 microprocessor, a "near call" refers to a subroutine call within the same memory segment, typically allowing for a return to the next instruction using a simple return instruction (RET). A "far call," on the other hand, is used to call a subroutine located in a different memory segment, requiring the processor to save both the program counter and the segment information. This distinction affects how memory addresses are handled and how the stack is utilized during subroutine calls and returns.
The CPU uses the segment registers to provide the base addresses for logical segments, which correspond to parts of a program's memory, such as code, data, and stack segments. When an application references a memory address, it specifies a segment selector (the logical segment) and an offset within that segment. The CPU combines the base address from the segment register with the offset to calculate the physical address in memory. This segmentation allows for organized memory management and protection between different segments of a program.
The base of the stack segment refers to the starting address of the stack in a program's memory. It is the location where the stack begins, and as data is pushed onto the stack, the stack grows downward in memory. This segment typically holds local variables, function parameters, and return addresses, and its management is crucial for function calls and returns in a program's execution. In many architectures, the stack grows towards lower memory addresses.
When an effective program is designed for attracting and serving a chosen segment, that segment is best described as "targeted" or "well-defined." This indicates that the segment has specific characteristics, needs, and preferences that the program addresses effectively. A targeted segment allows for tailored marketing strategies and better resource allocation to meet the unique demands of that group. Ultimately, this leads to enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Yes, if a memory segment is 64K, it means there are 64K total addresses in that segment. Since 1K (kilobyte) equals 1024 bytes, a 64K segment would have a total size of 64 * 1024 bytes, which equals 65,536 bytes. Therefore, the size of one segment is 65,536 bytes.
The offset address in an 8086/8088 is the logical address that the program "thinks about" when it addresses a location in memory. The Execution Unit (EU or CPU) is responsible for generating the offset address. The Bus Interface Unit (BIU), on the other hand, takes the offset address and adds it to four times the selected segment register value in order to determine a real address, which is now 20-bits in length. Some programs do deal with segment addresses as well - these are called far pointers instead of near pointers - but the program has to do more than one step to load both the offset and the segment address - a complexity created by running in a 16-bit environment.
In structured programming (a method of orderly setting up programs to increase readability of source code, and easier maintenance), segments of code to do specific things are often written...and then have a "return address" at the end of the code segment or subroutine to say where in the main coding the program should continue. In some languages, like BASIC, this may be a "line number" in the program. In other languages, such a C programming, it may be a label that has been inserted in the coding to be used as an 'address'. For example, a program like a sales program may have a subroutine asking the user's gender. Then the gender-asking subroutine may take the user to a listing of men's clothing if he answered male, or a different return address to take her to a list of female clothing if she answered female...and even an error routine's address if the user left the question blank or gave a non-gender answer.
In the 8086 microprocessor, an intra-segment jump refers to a jump instruction that occurs within the same segment of memory, allowing the program to branch to a different address within that segment. Conversely, an inter-segment jump involves jumping to a different segment, which requires specifying both the segment and offset addresses to access the target location. Intra-segment jumps are typically faster since they do not require segment register changes, while inter-segment jumps can introduce additional overhead due to the need for segment management.
The code segment, also known as the text segment, is a portion of a computer program's memory that contains the executable instructions of the program. It holds the compiled code that the CPU executes when the program runs. This segment is typically read-only to prevent accidental modification, ensuring the integrity of the program's functionality. Overall, the code segment is crucial for the execution of the program's logic and operations.
The starting and ending addresses of segment E000H is E0000H and EFFFFH.