Query regarding registers .

Pankaj Shrivastava · New User Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Pune

Hi All ,

This could be a very basic question , But conceptually I have no clue about the real story at the the hardware level .
When we say that we are working with registers of machine , Does this mean that a particular register is exclusively used by the program at a time . If yes ..then how does maniframe operates so many program at the same time using a set of registers , And if No then how does it cater to so many programs running using a limited number of registers .

Thanks

Robert Sample · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:06 pm

You may want to find a copy of the z/Architecture Principles of Operation and read it for a while. When the system stops executing an address space and starts executing another one, memory (which includes the registers) is stored for the old address space, then loaded for the new address space. So every program running has its own complete set of registers that remain uniquely assigned for it.

Bill O'Boyle · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:07 pm

In Assembler application programs, unless you know what you're doing, don't use R0, R1, R13, R14 and R15 as they are used by System Level Services/Macros, etc (except R13), but R13 contains the address of the current program's 18 word savearea and you need to leave this register alone as well.

Also, if this is a sub-program called by a HLL which is LE compliant, avoid using R12 because it normally contains the address of the LE "CAA" (Common Anchor Area).

Bill

dejunzhu · Active User Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 390 Location: China

I'm new to Assembler, please allow me to ask a stupid question:
I find almost in all sub program, below segment is coded:

Robert Sample · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 5:15 pm

The Assembler save area linkage convention requires it. The first 4 bytes of the save area are reserved, followed by 4 bytes of previous save area address, followed by 4 bytes of next save area address, followed by registers. Since the first 12 bytes are reserved, the registers must be stored at offset 12(R13). If properly constructed, the address of the save area IN YOUR PROGRAM will be stored at 8(R13).

dick scherrer · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:08 pm

Hello,

Every assembler module you write should follow the standard linkage conventions. To do otherwise can cause all sorts of problems when modules call or are called by other modules.

There is more than the single instructoin and there should also be code that is executed when your code returns control to whatever invoked it.

Many organizations have macros defined for this purpose.

dejunzhu · Active User Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 390 Location: China

Thank you very much!
I'll remember it.