Stack Memory-Addressing Modes

Stack memory-addressing modes define how data is accessed, stored, and manipulated
within the stack—a last-in, first-out (LIFO) memory structure used for function calls, local
variables, return addresses, and temporary storage during program execution.
Understanding these modes is essential for analyzing procedure calls, interrupt handling,
and system-level programming.

1. Introduction to Stack Memory Addressing

The stack is a specialized memory region managed by the stack pointer (SP or RSP in x86-
64). Many addressing modes are designed specifically to interact with this region
automatically or semi-automatically.

Stack operations typically include:

• PUSH – placing a value onto the stack

• POP – removing a value from the top of the stack
• CALL – pushing the return address and jumping to a function
• RET – popping the return address

Stack addressing modes ensure that these operations are efficient and require minimal
instruction encoding.

2. Implicit Stack Addressing

In implicit stack addressing, the instruction does not specify an operand location; instead, it
automatically uses the stack pointer.

Characteristics

• Stack pointer determines read/write location.

• Common in PUSH, POP, CALL, RET instructions.
• No operand field for memory address in the instruction.

Example

PUSH AX ; SP = SP - 2, [SP] = AX

POP BX ; BX = [SP], SP = SP + 2
Advantages

• Very efficient and compact.

• Ideal for frequent stack operations.

Disadvantages

• Limited flexibility since the operand location is fixed.

3. Register Indirect Stack Addressing

The stack pointer serves as an indirect register that contains the address of data. Instructions
reference memory using the value of SP.

Characteristics

• Operand address = value in SP.

• Allows direct memory referencing without PUSH/POP.

Example

MOV AX, [SP] ; Load top of stack into AX

Advantages

• More explicit access to stack data.

Disadvantages

• Can break stack integrity if misused.

4. Stack Relative Addressing

Stack relative addressing adds a displacement to the stack pointer to form the effective
address. It is widely used for accessing local variables and function parameters within stack
frames.

Characteristics

• Effective address = SP + offset.

• Common in high-level language implementations.
Example

MOV AX, [SP + 4] ; Access a function parameter

Advantages

• Very flexible for structured stack frames.

• Useful for local variable management.

Disadvantages

• Requires careful offset calculation.

5. Base Pointer (Frame Pointer) Relative Addressing

Many architectures use a base pointer (BP or RBP) to create stable stack frames, allowing
consistent access to variables regardless of changes to SP.

Characteristics

• Effective address = BP + displacement.

• BP remains constant throughout a function.

Example

MOV AX, [BP - 2] ; Access a local variable

Advantages

• Simplifies compiler design.

• Improves stack frame organization.

Disadvantages

• Requires maintaining both BP and SP.

6. Summary

Stack memory-addressing modes determine how instructions interact with stack data.
Implicit stack addressing supports automatic operations, while indirect and relative
addressing enable flexible access to stack frames and variables. Mastery of these modes is
crucial for understanding procedure calls, interrupt handling, compiler behavior, and low-
level program execution.