Role of a base register table What does a base register table track during program loading and execution?

Introduction / Context:
Base registers support relocation by holding a starting address for a segment, while instruction displacements address locations relative to that base. A base register table is a loader/linker structure that manages which registers serve this role and with what values.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are discussing system-level structures used by loaders/OS on architectures with base/displacement addressing.
• The table must record register availability and their base contents.
• Other options describe unrelated OS concepts or programmer-facing features.

Concept / Approach:

During relocation, the loader assigns base values to registers and keeps metadata about which registers are bound as base registers. The base register table is the natural place for this bookkeeping, enabling correct address translation at run time through base + displacement addressing.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Classic mainframe and some minicomputer OS manuals define base register tables exactly this way: a mapping of base registers to segment bases for relocation and protection.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

a: Programmers can reference labels; base registers are handled by the system, not typically hard-coded. c: Multiprogramming is orthogonal to base register tables. d: “Control programs” is not the meaning of base register table.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing a symbol table with a base register table; mixing logical segmentation with fixed partitions.

Final Answer:

Which general purpose registers are in use as base registers and the base addresses they hold