Re: About stack size

From: Thomas Matthews (Thomas_MatthewsSpitsOnSpamBots_at_sbcglobal.net)
Date: 09/09/04 

Date: Thu, 09 Sep 2004 19:47:01 GMT

Sam Sungshik Kong wrote:
> Hello, group!
>
> I wonder how the stack size is set (or determined by compilers) and if it
> can be resized during run-time.
There is no requirement that programs have stacks. The use of
stacks is compiler dependent.

If a compiler uses a stack, the stack size depends on the memory
of the platform. Some compilers allow one to set the stack
size as a parameter to the compiler.

> I heard that it's dynamic.
> What does it mean?
Funny, that's my question too.
This could mean that a stack can grow or shrink during
runtime as opposed to an array.

> Dynamic during compile-time or run-time?
Your program doesn't have a stack during compile time.
If a compiler uses a stack during the translation of
a program, that would be during compile-time and probably
not adjustable by the user.

Stacks, by their design, are dynamic during runtime.
Many stacks have a maximum size that they can grow
to.

> The stack area can't be divided, right?
What do you mean by divided? Please give example.

> Is it always before the start point of heap?
No. The stack is wherever the compiler implementor
decided to put it.

Is the use of a stack important to you?
Is the location of the stack or heap important to
you?

In most programs, there is no concern over a stack
or a heap; especially where they are located. 

-- 
Thomas Matthews
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