data in RW or ZI

http://www.keil.com/support/docs/3380.htm

QUESTION

For the following example code:

char test_array[8];

The linker reports these memory sizes RW data = 8 and ZI data = 0

While for:

char test_array[9];

The linker reports these memory sizes RW data = 0 and ZI data = 9.

Why is the latter in the ZI section but the former isn't? Is there a way to change the linker behaviour?

ANSWER

Data objects smaller than 9 bytes get moved to the RW region for optimization reasons. This threshold can be controlled by the bss_threshold compiler switch. To enable this option in µVision please add the compiler switch in Options for Target — C/C++ — Misc Controls field.

Example:

--bss_threshold=0

Note:

• Changing the bss_threshold setting might result in increased code size.