GATE CS 2023 Set 1 — Question 36
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Compiler Design → C Programming → Activation Records
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Question
Consider the following program:Which one of the following options represents the activation tree corresponding to the main function?
int main()
{
f1();
f2(2);
f3();
return(0);
}
int f1()
{
return(1);
}
int f2(int X)
{
f3();
if (X==1)
return f1();
else
return (X*f2(X-1));
}
int f3()
{
return(5);
}
Correct answer
(A) [figure]
Solution
The activation tree tracks the sequence and nesting of function calls:
1.
main starts and calls f1(). After f1 returns, main calls f2(2).2.Inside
f2(2), f3() is called first. Then, since , it recursively calls f2(1).3.Inside
f2(1), f3() is called first. Then, since , it calls f1().4.After
This hierarchy is: f2(2) returns, main calls f3().main (f1, f2, f3). Under f2(2), we have (f3, f2(1)). Under f2(1), we have (f3, f1). This matches the structure in option (A).Continue learning with Success Tracker
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