Terms
A term is the smallest element of the assembler language that represents a distinct and separate value. It can, therefore, be used alone or in combination with other terms to form expressions. Terms are classified as absolute or relocatable, depending on the effect of program relocation upon them. Program relocation is the loading of the object program into storage locations other than those originally assigned by the assembler. Terms have absolute or relocatable values that are assigned by the assembler or that are inherent in the terms themselves.
A term is absolute if its value does not change upon
program relocation. A term is relocatable if its value changes by n if
the origin of the control section in which it appears is relocated
by n bytes. Table 1 summarizes
the various types of terms, and gives a reference to the page number
where the term is discussed and the rules for using it are described.
For more information about absolute and relocatable expressions, see Absolute and relocatable expressions.
Terms | Term can be absolute | Term can be relocatable | Value is assigned by assembler | Value is inherent in term | Topic reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Symbols | X | X | X | Symbols | |
Literals | X | X | X | Literals, constants, and self-defining terms | |
Self-defining terms | X | X | Self-defining terms | ||
Location counter reference | X | X | Location counter | ||
Symbol length attribute | X | X | Symbol length attribute reference | ||
Other data attributes1 | X | X | Other attribute references | ||
Notes:
|