COMP-1200 System Calls and Functions

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to system calls and functions learned in COMP-1200.

System Call

A mechanism that allows a program to request services from the operating system's kernel.

Function Call

An instruction that tells the program to execute a specific sequence of code defined as a function.

RISC-V

An open-standard instruction set architecture based on established reduced instruction set computer (RISC) principles.

a-registers

Registers used in RISC-V for passing function arguments.

ecall

An instruction in RISC-V used to make a system call.

JAL (Jump And Link)

An instruction that saves the address of the next instruction to the 'ra' register and jumps to a function.

RET (Return)

An instruction that allows a function to return control back to the point where it was called.

I/O Operations

Input/Output operations involving reading from or writing to external devices.

OS Kernel

Core component of an operating system that manages system calls and hardware interactions.

Temporary Registers

Registers (like t0, t1) used for short-lived values in functions, assumed to be unavailable after the call.

Saved Registers

Registers (like s-registers) used to preserve values across function calls.

Function Return Value

The value returned by a function, typically stored in the a0 or a1 register.

Arguments

Values passed to a function when it is called.

Function Label

Identifying name for a function in assembly language that indicates its start.

Exit System Call

A system call that terminates the program execution.

Print System Calls

System calls that allow programs to output data to the user, like printInt and printChar.