The SHOW CALLS command shows a traceback that lists the sequence
of active routine calls that lead to the routine in which
execution appears suspended. Each recursive routine call is shown
in the display, that is, you can use the SHOW CALLS command to
examine the chain of recursion.
SHOW CALLS displays one line of information for each call frame
on the call stack, starting with the most recent call. The top
line identifies the currently executing routine, the next line
identifies its caller, the following line identifies the caller
of the caller, and so on.
Even if your program contains no routine calls, the SHOW CALLS
command displays an active call because your program has at least
one stack frame built for it when it is first activated.
On Alpha and Integrity server processors, you also usually
see a system and sometimes a DCL base frame. Note that if the
SHOW CALLS display shows no active calls, either your program
has terminated or the call stack has been corrupted. As your
program executes, whenever a call is made to a routine a new
call frame is built on the stack(s) or in the register set.
Each call frame stores information about the calling or current
routine. For example, the frame PC value enables the SHOW CALLS
command to symbolize to module and routine information. On Alpha
processors, a routine invocation results in either a stack frame
procedure (with a call frame on the memory stack), a register
frame procedure (with a call frame stored in the register set),
or a null frame procedure (without a call frame).
On Integrity server processors, a routine invocation can result
in a memory stack frame and/or a register stack frame. That is,
there two stacks on Integrity servers, register and memory. An
Integrity server routine invocation could result in call frames
on one or the other or both of those stacks. Also, an Integrity
server leaf routine invocation (that does not itself make calls)
can result in a null frame procedure, without a call frame on
either stack. SHOW CALLS provides one line of information,
regardless of the which stack or register results. (See the
examples below.)