How do stacks help in the execution of function calls in programming languages?
Practice Questions
Q1
How do stacks help in the execution of function calls in programming languages?
They store global variables.
They manage the order of execution.
They keep track of local variables and return addresses.
They optimize memory usage.
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
How do stacks help in the execution of function calls in programming languages?
Step 1: When a function is called in a program, the current location in the code (where the function was called) needs to be remembered. This is called the return address.
Step 2: The return address is pushed onto the stack, which is a special area of memory that works in a last-in, first-out (LIFO) manner.
Step 3: The function starts executing, and any local variables it uses are also stored on the stack.
Step 4: When the function finishes executing, it needs to return to the place where it was called. The return address is popped off the stack.
Step 5: The program then jumps back to the return address, continuing execution from where it left off.
Function Call Management – Stacks manage the execution context of function calls, including local variables and return addresses.
LIFO Structure – Stacks operate on a Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle, which is crucial for handling nested function calls.
Memory Management – Stacks help in efficient memory allocation and deallocation for function calls.
