Why Operating System uses a separate stack?

Jincuteguy · Sep 29, 2003, 02:30 AM

You know when a process executes a TRAP or is interrupted, the operating system uses a separate stack to execute any operating system code rather than the stack of the current process. Anyone know why the operating systems designers select this type of implementation?

~~craig588~~ · Sep 29, 2003, 02:33 AM

If I understand your question its so the OS won't crash if one of the apps crashes.

Jincuteguy · Sep 29, 2003, 05:30 AM

can anyone else add some more? thx.

UberLord · Sep 29, 2003, 11:12 AM

I don't think many people here are OS designers. My guess is so that the OS doesn't fall over

Jincuteguy · Oct 1, 2003, 06:49 PM

comon anyone????

Malus · Oct 19, 2003, 07:03 PM

If the program uses all the memory available for the stack, wouldn't that not leav enough room for the operating system to function? I haven't taken any OS courses yet, but I assume it's pretty much a safety measure to keep the OS running.

Sep 29, 2003, 02:30 AM	#1
Jincuteguy DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 200 Rep Power: 0	Why Operating System uses a separate stack? You know when a process executes a TRAP or is interrupted, the operating system uses a separate stack to execute any operating system code rather than the stack of the current process. Anyone know why the operating systems designers select this type of implementation?

Sep 29, 2003, 11:12 AM	#4
UberLord A Legend in Underwear Join Date: May 2002 Location: Unknown Posts: 5,255 Rep Power: 0	I don't think many people here are OS designers. My guess is so that the OS doesn't fall over __________________ Gentoo Linux - Developer (baselayout) Read my blog "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

Oct 19, 2003, 07:03 PM	#6
Malus BSD SMASH! Join Date: May 2002 Location: A rabbit hole. . . Posts: 1,170 Rep Power: 0	If the program uses all the memory available for the stack, wouldn't that not leav enough room for the operating system to function? I haven't taken any OS courses yet, but I assume it's pretty much a safety measure to keep the OS running. __________________ quad (FreeBSD/amd64 8-CURRENT): Intel Q6600 - Asus P5E-VM HDMI - 2x2 GB Kingston PC6400 DDR2 Ram - Seagate 320GB 7200RPM HD - 2xSeagate 1TB 7200RPM HD in RAID 1 via ZFS - Lite-On 20x DVD Multi Recorder - Coolermaster Centurion 5 router (FreeBSD/amd64 8-CURRENT): Intel E4500 - Intel D945GCNL - 2 GB PC6400 Mushkin Ram - Lite-On 48x24x48x16 - Seagate 320GB 7200RPM HD - Silverstone SST-SG02-F wanderer (FreeBSD/i386 7-CURRENT): Lenovo Thinkpad T61p mini (OS X 10.5): Intel Core 2 Duo @ 1.8Ghz, 4 GB Mushkin PC5400 Ram - Headroom MicroDAC Portable sound: Rockboxed iPod Video -> Westone UM2's Not-So-Portable Sound: Headroon MicroDAC -> Singlepower PPX3-SLAM -> Grado RS-1's or Beyerdynamic DT-880's Very-Not-Portable-Sound: Squeezebox v3 -> Denon AVR-1507 -> B&W 683's & Sunfire HRS-10

Sep 29, 2003, 02:33 AM	#2
~~craig588~~ Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In clothing Posts: 3,510 Rep Power: 0	If I understand your question its so the OS won't crash if one of the apps crashes.

Sep 29, 2003, 05:30 AM	Thread Starter #3
Jincuteguy DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 200 Rep Power: 0	can anyone else add some more? thx.

Oct 1, 2003, 06:49 PM	Thread Starter #5
Jincuteguy DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 200 Rep Power: 0	comon anyone????