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Segmentation: Difference between revisions
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==Notes Regarding C==
*Most C compilers assume a flat-memory model.▼
*In this model all the segments cover the full address space (Usually 0->4Gb on x86). In essence this means that we completely ignore the A part of our A:B logical address. The reason for this is that most processors don't actually have segmentation (Plus it's a hell of a lot easier for the compiler to optimise).▼
▲Most C compilers assume a flat-memory model.
*This leaves you with 2 descriptors per privilege level (Ring 0 and Ring 3 normally), one for code and one for data, which both describe precisely the same segment. The only difference being that the code descriptor is loaded into CS, and the data descriptor is used by all the other segment registers. The reason you need both a code and data descriptor is that the processor will not allow you to load CS with a data descriptor (This is to help with security when using a segmented memory model, and although useless in the flat-memory model it is still required because you can't turn off segmentation).▼
*In general if you want to use the segmentation mechanism, by having the different segment registers represent segments with different base addresses, you won't be able to use a modern C compiler, and may very well be restricted to just Assembly.▼
▲In this model all the segments cover the full address space (Usually 0->4Gb on x86). In essence this means that we completely ignore the A part of our A:B logical address. The reason for this is that most processors don't actually have segmentation (Plus it's a hell of a lot easier for the compiler to optimise).
*So, if you're going to use C, do what the rest of the C world does, which is set up a flat-memory model, use paging, and ignore the fact that segmentation even exists.▼
▲This leaves you with 2 descriptors per privilege level (Ring 0 and Ring 3 normally), one for code and one for data, which both describe precisely the same segment. The only difference being that the code descriptor is loaded into CS, and the data descriptor is used by all the other segment registers. The reason you need both a code and data descriptor is that the processor will not allow you to load CS with a data descriptor (This is to help with security when using a segmented memory model, and although useless in the flat-memory model it is still required because you can't turn off segmentation).
▲In general if you want to use the segmentation mechanism, by having the different segment registers represent segments with different base addresses, you won't be able to use a modern C compiler, and may very well be restricted to just Assembly.
▲So, if you're going to use C, do what the rest of the C world does, which is set up a flat-memory model, use paging, and ignore the fact that segmentation even exists.
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