Which term stores the address of the first data element stored onto the stack?

Which term stores the address of the first data element stored onto the stack?

• A. Extended Stack Pointer (ESP)
• B. Extended Instruction Pointer (EIP)
• C. Extended Base Pointer (EBP)
• D. Extended Source Index (ESI)

Answer: (C)

A frame pointer is used to anchor the current function’s stack frame so you can reliably access its data (parameters, locals) regardless of how the stack grows or shrinks. The Extended Base Pointer serves this role by holding the base address of the current stack frame. After the function prologue, this register points to the start of the frame, making it a stable reference for addressing: parameters are accessed at fixed offsets above this base, and local variables at fixed offsets below it. That’s why this term fits: while the stack pointer (ESP) tracks the dynamic top of the stack, and the instruction pointer (EIP) or other index registers don’t provide a fixed frame reference, the base pointer provides that dependable anchor for the frame.

A frame pointer is used to anchor the current function’s stack frame so you can reliably access its data (parameters, locals) regardless of how the stack grows or shrinks. The Extended Base Pointer serves this role by holding the base address of the current stack frame. After the function prologue, this register points to the start of the frame, making it a stable reference for addressing: parameters are accessed at fixed offsets above this base, and local variables at fixed offsets below it.

That’s why this term fits: while the stack pointer (ESP) tracks the dynamic top of the stack, and the instruction pointer (EIP) or other index registers don’t provide a fixed frame reference, the base pointer provides that dependable anchor for the frame.