Stack Frame Pointers

ä Values and references on the stack can’t just be popped off because the SP must remain pointed at the return address ä Solution ä Load the SP into the base pointer BP and access the parameters through the BP ä Note: BP is used by many subprograms, so it must be saved first! Where? Programmer saves it on the stack. ä DS, SS, BP are also saved/restored to original status (by the programmer) if changed by a subprogram (more calling conventions) ä BP is said to point to a stack frame