activation record
<compiler> (Or "data frame", "stack frame") A data structure containing
the variables belonging to one particular scope (e.g. a procedure body), as well
as links to other activation records.
Activation records are usually created (on the stack) on entry to a block and
destroyed on exit. If a procedure or function may be returned as a result,
stored in a variable and used in an outer scope then its activation record must
be stored in a heap so that its variables still exist when it is used. Variables
in the current scope are accessed via the frame pointer which points to the
current activation record. Variables in an outer scope are accessed by following
chains of links between activation records. There are two kinds of link - the
static link and the dynamic link.
(1995-03-07)
Nearby terms:
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