Subroutine – Subroutine in 8085 Microprocessor, Stack Memory, Call, Return Instruction

What are Subroutine?

Computer programming, a subroutine, also known as a function or procedure, is a block of code that performs a specific task and can be called and executed from multiple parts of a program.

Subroutines allow programmers to break down a large program into smaller, more manageable parts.

This makes it easier to write, test, and maintain programs because each subroutine can be developed and tested separately.

Subroutines can also improve the readability and modularity of programs, because they allow programmers to encapsulate functionality into discrete units.

Subroutines usually have a name and can accept input parameters and return output values.

When a subroutine is called, the program transfers control to the subroutine, which performs its task and then returns control back to the calling program.

The calling program can then use the output values returned by the subroutine or continue executing its own instructions.

Subroutines are a fundamental concept in many programming languages, including C, C++, Java, Python, and many others.

They are also widely used in embedded systems programming and other specialized fields.

Read Also – Which segment is used to store interrupt and subroutine return address register?

Subroutine in microprocessor

In microprocessors – A subroutine is a block of code that can be called and executed repeatedly from different parts of a program.

It is a set of instructions that performs a specific task.

It can also be executed independently from the main program.

Subroutines are essential in microprocessors because they allow the reuse of code, it has capability to reduce the size of programs.

It make programming more efficient.

They also help to make programs more modular and easier to debug.

Role of subroutine in microprocessor – When a subroutine is called, the microprocessor saves the current program counter and any other relevant data onto the stack, and then jumps to the address of the subroutine.

The subroutine executes its instructions and returns control back to the calling program by popping the saved data from the stack and jumping back to the saved program counter.

To implement a subroutine in a microprocessor, a programmer needs to define the instructions for the subroutine and assign a unique label to it.

This label is used to call the subroutine from different parts of the program.

Conclusion

Subroutines are an important concept in microprocessors that enable the creation of more efficient and modular programs.

Stack Memory

In computer science, stack memory refers to a specific area of memory that is used to store data and control information during the execution of a program.

The stack is a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) data structure, which means that the last item pushed onto the stack is the first item popped off.

The stack is typically used to store temporary data, such as function arguments, local variables, return addresses, and other information that is necessary for the execution of a program.

When a program calls a function or subroutine, the current state of the program (including the values of the registers and program counter) is pushed onto the stack.

This allows the program to save its current state and resume execution from the same point when the function returns.

When the function or subroutine completes execution, the saved state is popped off the stack, restoring the previous state of the program.

The stack is an important part of memory management in many programming languages, including C, C++, and Java.

Proper use of the stack is essential for writing efficient and reliable programs, and failure to manage the stack properly can lead to bugs, crashes, and security vulnerabilities.

Call

In computer programming, a call, it is asli known as function call, it refers to the act of transferring control from one part of a program to a specific subroutine or function.

When a program calls a subroutine, it passes any necessary parameters to the subroutine, and the subroutine performs its task using those parameters.

The subroutine may also return a value to the calling program, which can then use that value for further processing.

The call mechanism is an important aspect of programming because it allows developers to write code that is modular and reusable. Instead of duplicating the same code in multiple places, developers can write a subroutine once and call it from any part of the program where that functionality is needed. This makes it easier to write and maintain complex programs, and also helps to reduce errors and bugs.

Different programming languages have different syntax and semantics for making calls, but the general idea is the same: to transfer control from one part of the program to a specific subroutine or function and pass any necessary data or parameters.

Return instruction

In computer programming, a return instruction (also known as a return statement or simply “return”) is a statement that terminates the execution of a subroutine or function and returns control to the calling program.

When a function or subroutine is called, it may perform some operation on the input parameters, calculate a result, and then return that result to the calling program. The return instruction is used to transfer control back to the calling program and provide it with the calculated result.

The syntax for return statements varies depending on the programming language. In some languages, the return keyword is followed by the value to be returned (if any), while in others, the value is specified separately.

In this example, the add() function calculates the sum of two integers and then returns that value using the return statement.

Return statements are an essential part of programming because they allow developers to write reusable code that can be called from different parts of a program. By encapsulating functionality in subroutines or functions, developers can write code that is easier to read, test, and maintain.

Advance subroutine concepts

A subroutine, also known as a subprogram or function.

It is a portion of code within a larger program that performs a specific task.

Advanced subroutine concepts include the following:

1. Recursion: This is a technique in which a subroutine calls itself. Recursion is useful for solving problems that can be broken down into smaller sub-problems that are similar to the original problem. It is also useful when working with data structures that have a hierarchical or nested structure.
2. Callbacks: A callback is a function that is passed as an argument to another function and is then called within that function. This technique allows for more flexible and dynamic code, as it allows the calling function to customize the behavior of the called function.
3. Anonymous functions: Also known as lambda functions, anonymous functions are functions that do not have a name. They are often used as arguments to other functions or as return values from functions.
4. Coroutines: A coroutine is a subroutine that can be paused and resumed at certain points during its execution. This allows for more efficient use of system resources, as the coroutine can yield control back to the calling code when it is waiting for a resource or input.
5. Generators: A generator is a type of subroutine that produces a sequence of values. Unlike traditional subroutines, which execute to completion and return a single value, generators can produce a series of values over time. This makes them useful for working with large data sets or for generating sequences of values on-the-fly.

These advanced subroutine concepts can be powerful tools for writing more efficient and flexible code. However, they also require a solid understanding of programming concepts and a careful approach to coding, as they can be complex and difficult to debug.

What is the Subroutine nesting in 8085 microprocessor?

Subroutine is one type of context concept of 8085 Microprocessor.

Subroutine nesting in the context of the 8085 microprocessor. have ability to call a subroutine from within another subroutine.

The 8085 microprocessor provides instructions such as CALL and RET that facilitate subroutine calls and returns.

When a CALL instruction is encountered, the microprocessor saves the return address (the address of the next instruction after the CALL) onto the stack and transfers control to the specified subroutine.

Conversely, when a RET instruction is executed, the microprocessor retrieves the return address from the stack and resumes execution from that point.

By using subroutine nesting, you can have a subroutine call another subroutine.

When the inner subroutine completes its task, it can use the RET instruction to return to the calling subroutine.

The calling subroutine can then continue its execution from where it left off.

Subroutine vs Function

In computer programming, both subroutines and functions are used to execute a specific set of instructions.

There is a fundamental difference between the them,

• A subroutine, also known as a procedure or a method, is a block of code that performs a specific task and doesn’t return a value. It can be called from different parts of a program to execute the same task.
• A function, on the other hand, is also a block of code that performs a specific task, but it returns a value to the calling program or function. Functions are typically used to compute a value, perform a calculation, or manipulate data in some way.

In summary,

Subroutines are used for executing a task without returning a value,

Where as, functions are used for executing a task and returning a value.

Subroutine in Architecture

In computer architecture, a subroutine is a section of code that can be called multiple times from different parts of a program.

It is a type of programming construct used to divide a larger program into smaller, more manageable pieces, which can be easier to understand, maintain, and debug.

A subroutine typically performs a specific task or a sequence of operations and can return a value to the calling program.

When a subroutine is called, the program control transfers to the first instruction of the subroutine, and after executing the instructions in the subroutine, control returns to the instruction immediately following the subroutine call.

Subroutines can be implemented in different ways, depending on the computer architecture and programming language used.

In some architectures, a subroutine is implemented as a separate section of code with its own memory space and stack, while in others, it may be implemented as a sequence of instructions that are inserted into the calling program.

Subroutines are widely used in programming for tasks such as input/output operations, mathematical calculations, sorting, and searching.

They help to reduce code duplication, improve code readability and maintainability, and make programs more modular and flexible.

Subroutine Instructions in 8051

The 8051 microcontroller is a popular 8-bit microcontroller that is widely used in embedded systems.

Subroutines are a way to break down a program into smaller, more manageable pieces that can be reused and called multiple times.

The 8051 microcontroller has a number of instructions that can be used to implement subroutines.

The following are some of the important subroutine instructions in 8051:

1. CALL: The CALL instruction is used to call a subroutine. It pushes the address of the next instruction onto the stack and jumps to the specified address.
2. RET: The RET instruction is used to return from a subroutine. It pops the return address from the stack and jumps to that address.
3. RETI: The RETI instruction is used to return from an interrupt service routine. It is similar to the RET instruction, but it also enables interrupts.
4. ACALL: The ACALL instruction is used to call a subroutine that is located in the same bank of memory as the calling program. It uses a 2-byte addressing mode and can call a subroutine that is located up to 2 KB away from the calling program.
5. LCALL: The LCALL instruction is used to call a subroutine that is located anywhere in memory. It uses a 3-byte addressing mode and can call a subroutine that is located up to 64 KB away from the calling program.
6. AJMP: The AJMP instruction is used to perform a relative jump to a subroutine. It uses a 2-byte addressing mode and can jump to a subroutine that is located up to 2 KB away from the calling program.
7. LJMP: The LJMP instruction is used to perform an absolute jump to a subroutine. It uses a 3-byte addressing mode and can jump to a subroutine that is located anywhere in memory.

These instructions allow programmers to create subroutines in their programs, which can improve code readability, reusability, and modularity.

By using subroutines, programmers can break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces, making it easier to develop and maintain programs.

Subroutine in 8085 Microprocessor

The function of subroutines in 8085 microprocessor are,

1. A subroutine is a small section of code that performs a specific task within a larger program. It is like a mini-program within the main program.
2. Subroutines are used to organize and simplify code by breaking it down into smaller, reusable modules.
3. In the 8085 microprocessor, a subroutine is implemented using a combination of instructions and memory locations.
4. To create a subroutine, we need to define it by giving it a name and specifying the instructions that it should execute.
5. The instructions within a subroutine are written in assembly language, which is a low-level programming language specific to the microprocessor.
6. When the main program encounters a subroutine call instruction, it jumps to the specified subroutine and starts executing the instructions within it.
7. After the subroutine finishes its task, it uses a return instruction to go back to the main program and continue execution from where it left off.
8. Subroutines can have input parameters, which are values passed to them when they are called. These parameters can be used by the subroutine to perform specific calculations or tasks.
9. Subroutines can also return values back to the main program using registers or memory locations. These return values can be used by the main program for further processing.
10. Subroutines allow for code reusability, as they can be called multiple times from different parts of the main program.
11. They help in making programs more modular and easier to understand and maintain.
12. Care should be taken while using subroutines to avoid issues like stack overflow or incorrect handling of registers.

Subroutine in Computers Architecture

In computer architecture, a subroutine is a sequence of instructions that performs a specific task, and can be called from other parts of a program.

When a program calls a subroutine, it jumps to the first instruction of the subroutine and executes its instructions until it reaches the end of the subroutine.

The subroutine has finished executing, control returns to the calling program, typically to the instruction immediately following the one that called the subroutine.

Subroutines are useful because they allow a program to be broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces, with each subroutine responsible for a specific task.

This makes the program easier to write, understand, and maintain. Additionally, subroutines can be reused in different parts of a program or in different programs altogether, which saves time and effort.

Subroutines are commonly used in programming languages like C, C++, Java, and Python, and are an essential building block for many computer programs.

Subroutine Call and Return

A subroutine is a sequence of instructions that can be called from within a larger program to perform a specific task.

The calling program passes control to the subroutine, which performs the required operations, and then returns control back to the calling program.

The process of calling a subroutine is called a subroutine call, and the process of returning control to the calling program is called a subroutine return.

During a subroutine call, the calling program saves the current state of the program counter and any necessary data on the stack, and then transfers control to the subroutine.

The subroutine executes its instructions and then returns control to the calling program by popping the saved state and data from the stack and transferring control to the saved program counter.

Subroutine calls are often used to implement code modularity and reduce code duplication. By breaking down a larger program into smaller subroutines, it becomes easier to understand, maintain, and modify the code.

Subroutines can be reused in different parts of the program or in different programs altogether, which can save time and effort in development.

Summary,

Subroutine call and return are essential concepts in computer programming, and they allow programmers to create modular and reusable code.

Advantage of Subroutine

Here are some of the advantages of subroutines

1. Code reusability: Subroutines allow code to be reused multiple times within a program, without the need to duplicate the same code over and over again. This makes the code more modular, easier to read, and maintain.
2. Improved readability: By breaking down a program into smaller, self-contained subroutines, the overall code becomes easier to read, understand, and debug.
3. Easier debugging: Subroutines can be tested and debugged separately from the rest of the program. This makes it easier to identify and fix errors, and reduces the amount of time and effort required to debug a complex program.
4. Encapsulation: Subroutines can be used to encapsulate complex logic or algorithms, making the code easier to understand and maintain.
5. Performance optimization: Subroutines can be optimized for specific tasks, allowing the overall program to run faster and more efficiently.
6. Modularity: Subroutines can be used to break down a large program into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes it easier to develop, test, and maintain complex software systems.