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Does stack grow up or down?
The memory needs to be contiguous for an array. So, though stack grows downward, for arrays the stack grows up.
How the stack grows or shrinks?
The run-time stack grows and shrinks as the program runs. When a function is called, a frame is created for it. When a function returns, its frame is removed. When a function returns, its entire frame, including all of its local variables, is removed.
Why do stack and heap grow towards each other?
Both stack and heap can grow. An OS doesn’t know in advance whether stack or heap will be used predominantly. Therefore, an OS must layout these two memory regions in a way to guarantee maximum space for both. Put heap and stack on edges too, and let them grow towards each other: one grows up, one grows down.
How is stack addressed?
The stack is a LIFO (last in, first out) data structure implemented in the RAM area and is used to store addresses and data when the microprocessor branches to a subroutine. Then the return address used to get pushed on this stack. Also to swap values of two registers and register pairs we use the stack as well.
Why do stacks typically grow upwards or downwards?
Predecrement the stack pointer first, then read the value. This implies that the stack will grow “upwards” (towards higher memory addresses). Read the value first, then postincrement the stack pointer. This implies that the stack will grow downwards. Read the value first, then postdecrement the stack pointer.
Can a stack grow up or down in memory?
It doesn’t matter at all (in terms of the standard) but, since you asked, it can grow up or down in memory, depending on the implementation. What happen between a [2] and q memory addresses? Why there are a big memory difference there? (20 bytes)? It doesn’t matter at all (in terms of the standard). See above for possible reasons.
Why do stacks typically grow downwards in IIRC?
If the stack grows upwards, ensuring alignment becomes a bit trickier. IIRC the stack grows downwards because the heap grows upwards. It could have been the other way around. I believe it’s purely a design decision.
Is there a way to make the stack grow up?
In the majority of modern architectures, stack grows down. However, there are some processors (e.g. B5000) where stack grows up. Some architecrures (e.g. System Z, RCA1802A) allow to choose stack direction.