GEMDOS - BSS segment

[Cyprian]

I use BSS segment to save some space in executable file. Till now I put it at the end of my code.
But now I'm wondering if it would be possible to place BSS segment in the middle of the code.
My code generate a huge chunk of a new code and BSS segment allows me to save executable file space.

e.g.

Code: Select all

   SECTION      CODE

      ;generate code for BSS section

   SECTION      BSS
      DS.W   12000
   SECTION      CODE

      ; some other code
   
   SECTION      DATA
      DC.w   0, 1, 2, 3


[AtariZoll]

Not possible. Executable file is 1 block: code (text), data , then relocation table. BSS segment starts where reloc table is, and it will be cleared by TOS after relocation. If there is large area with zeros in middle of exec. just use SFX packing.

[Cyprian]

Does it mean there is only one "DATA" segment?
Devpac allows to use it more than once, e.g:

Code: Select all

SECTION      CODE
   add.l   D0,A0
   
SECTION      DATA
   dc.l 0,1,2,3

SECTION      CODE
   move.l   D0,A0
   
SECTION      DATA
   dc.w 0,1,2,3


[mfro]

Does it mean there is only one "DATA" segment?
Devpac allows to use it more than once, e.g:

Code: Select all

SECTION      CODE
   add.l   D0,A0
   
SECTION      DATA
   dc.l 0,1,2,3

SECTION      CODE
   move.l   D0,A0
   
SECTION      DATA
   dc.w 0,1,2,3


Yes. If you mix code and data, the linker will sort that out again (next data statement will continue where the last one left off). At least if you want to use the GEMDOS executable format, you have to adhere to it (and its contiguous nature).

If you want to have data in the middle of your code, however (e.g. to save some space using short addressing), there is nothing to prevent you from putting that into the code segment.

[Greenious]

No, you are confusing devpac's abilities/definitions with the executable file format definition defined by Atari.

This explains it all:
http://cd.textfiles.com/ataricompendium ... #processes

And since the header of an executable works with offsets rather than absolute addresses, the BSS segment cannot be moved.