[ Course Documents ] : [ Implementing Subprograms ]

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Static Chain vs. Display

• References to locals
  • Not much difference

• References to nonlocals
  • If it is one level away, they are equal
  • If it is farther away, the display is faster
  • Display is better for time-critical code, because all nonlocal references cost the same

• Procedure calls
  • Speed is about the same
  • Display uses more memory

• Procedure returns
  • Both have fixed time, but the static chain is slightly faster

• Overall: Static chain is better, unless the display can be kept in registers