Merge branch 'gc-attempt-1'

9 files changed, 474 insertions, 100 deletions

diff --git a/include/apply.s b/include/apply.s
index 82465bc..7c5d366 100644
--- a/include/apply.s
+++ b/include/apply.s
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 # | fun | arg | -> cont
 .thunkcode apply1
+	needs_alloc $050
 	thunkto %rsi, $apply1_fini, $3, 030(%rbp), %rbp, %rsi
 	enter 020(%rbp) # evaluate fun
 
@@ -14,6 +15,10 @@
 	# we're certainly going to copy a lot of args.
 	mov 020(%rsi), %r11 # amount of args applied now
 
+	# prepare enough memory for the worst case alloc (make FUN from arg count + 3)
+	lea 030(,%r11,010), %r12
+	needs_alloc %r12
+
 	# the copying code is shared so let's do that first:
 	pushq 020(%rbp) #push the new arg
 	lea 030(%rsi), %rdx # the end (first arg)
@@ -59,6 +64,7 @@ apply1_fini_feed:
 
 # | fun | arg[1] | arg[2] | ... | arg[args-1] | -> cont
 .thunkcode apply
+	needs_alloc $040
 	thunkto %rsi, $apply_fini, $2, %rbp, %rsi
 	enter 020(%rbp)
 
@@ -71,13 +77,18 @@ apply1_fini_feed:
 	mov 010(%r10), %r13 # amount of args in the original thunk
 	sub $1, %r13 # amount of args we want to apply (the 1st one is the FUN)
 
-	mov %r11, %r14
-	add %r13, %r14
-	cmp %r12, %r14 # do we have enough arguments?
+	lea (%r11, %r13), %r14 # total amount arguments we have
+	lea 050(%r14), %r15 # how much memory this needs in extreme
+	needs_alloc %r15
+	# worst-case memory is: we make a thunk (2 headers + some args) and a
+	# leftover closure (3 headers + rest of args)
+
+	# Now that we have enough memory, do we have enough arguments to do anything?
+	cmp %r12, %r14
 	ja apply_fini_o
 
 apply_fini_pt:
-	# not enough args or exactly enough args.
+	# Not enough args or exactly enough args.
 	# Basically make a function or a thunk that is almost the same.
 
 	# first move thunk params
diff --git a/include/data.s b/include/data.s
index 2c512d4..35c4c8d 100644
--- a/include/data.s
+++ b/include/data.s
@@ -1,14 +1,7 @@
 
 .ifndef _data_s_file
 _data_s_file:
-
-# Simple values and boxed machine integers
-# | ptr | value |
-CON_evacuate1:
-	retq # TODO
-CON_scavenge1:
-	add $020, %rsi
-	retq
+	nop # avoid confusing gdb
 
 # Format of the info tables:
 # - code
@@ -16,27 +9,160 @@ CON_scavenge1:
 # - 8B helper information for eval/apply (generally this is 0, and only gets used for FUN/PAP)
 # - 8B pointer to scavenge
 # - 8B pointer to evacuate
+#
+# Evacuate interface:
+# in: %rbp what to evacuate
+# out: %rbp where the thing is now
+# ret: jump to _gc_evacuate_ret
+# Notes:
+#  - IND thunks skip themselves on evacuate
+#  - checking if whether stuff is already in write region are managed by
+#  _gc_evacuate prelude
+#
+# Scavenge interface:
+# in: %rbp what to scavenge
+# out: %rbp next thing to scavenge in memory
+# ret: jump to _gc_scavenge_ret
+#
+# Saved registers during the GC process:
+# - _uskel_gc uses %r8-%r11
+# - scavenges use %r12-%r15
+# - %rax-%rdx is scratch and evacuate use
+
+# Simple values and boxed machine integers
+# | ptr | value |
+INT_evacuate:
+	pushq 010(%rbp)
+	pushq $INT_code
+	mov %rsp,%rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate_ret
+INT_scavenge:
+	add $020, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_scavenge_ret
 
 INT_info_table:
-	cell CON_evacuate1
-	cell CON_scavenge1
+	cell INT_evacuate
+	cell INT_scavenge
 	cell 0
 INT_code:
 	continue
 
+# Indirection
+# | ptr | indptr |
+IND_evacuate:
+	mov 010(%rbp), %rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate
+IND_scavenge:
+	# this should never be triggered but let's play it safe
+	add $020, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_scavenge_ret
+
+IND_info:
+	cell IND_evacuate
+	cell IND_scavenge
+	cell 0
+IND_code:
+	enter 010(%rbp)
+
+# Blackhole (contains the original thunkptr for debugging purposes)
+# | ptr | orig_thunkptr |
+BLE_evacuate:
+	jmp _gc_evacuate_ret
+BLE_scavenge:
+	jmp _gc_scavenge_ret
+
+BLE_info_table:
+	cell BLE_evacuate
+	cell BLE_scavenge
+	cell 0
+BLE_code:
+	# if we hit this, we've got a pure loop in a program, and it is never
+	# going to actually progress. So let's just shoot it down with a
+	# helpful message or so.
+	mov 010(%rbp), %r15
+
+	mov $1, %rdi #stdout
+
+	mov $14, %rdx
+	mov $BLE_msg, %rsi
+	mov $1, %rax #write
+	syscall
+
+	mov $1, %rdx
+	BLE_loop:
+	mov %r15, %rcx
+	and $0xf, %rcx
+	mov $BLE_hex, %rsi
+	add %rcx, %rsi
+	mov $1, %rax
+	syscall
+	shr $4, %r15
+	jnz BLE_loop
+
+	mov $BLE_nl, %rsi
+	mov $1, %rax
+	syscall
+
+	# shot self down (and retry if it doesn't succeed)
+	BLE_retry_sigkill:
+	mov $39, %rax
+	syscall # getpid
+	mov %rax, %rdi
+	mov $6, %rsi # SIGABRT
+	mov $62, %rax # kill
+	syscall
+	jmp BLE_retry_sigkill
+
+BLE_msg:
+	.ascii "diverged at 0x"
+BLE_hex:
+	.ascii "0123456789abcdef"
+BLE_nl:
+	.ascii "\n"
+
 # List
-# | ptr | 0 |
-# | ptr | 1 | a | b |
+# | ptr | 0 |           # [] case
+# | ptr | 1 | a | b |   # (a:b) case
 LIST_evacuate:
-	# [] | a : b
-	retq #TODO
+	cmpq $0, 010(%rbp)
+	je LIST_evacuate_nil
+	pushq 030(%rbp)
+	pushq 020(%rbp)
+	pushq $1
+	pushq $LIST_code
+	mov %rsp, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate_ret
+
+	LIST_evacuate_nil:
+	pushq $0
+	pushq $LIST_code
+	mov %rsp, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate_ret
 LIST_scavenge:
-	mov 010(%rbp), %rax
-	shl $1, %rax
-	add $2, %rax
-	shl $3, %rax
-	add %rax, %rsi
-	retq
+	cmpq $0, 010(%rbp)
+	je LIST_scavenge_nil
+	mov %rbp, %r15
+
+	mov $LIST_scavenge1, %rsi
+	mov 020(%r15), %rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate
+	LIST_scavenge1:
+	mov %rbp, 020(%r15)
+
+	mov $LIST_scavenge2, %rsi
+	mov 030(%r15), %rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate
+	LIST_scavenge2:
+	mov %rbp, 030(%r15)
+
+	mov %r15, %rbp
+	add $040, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_scavenge_ret
+
+	LIST_scavenge_nil:
+	add $020, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_scavenge_ret
+
 LIST_info_table:
 	cell LIST_evacuate
 	cell LIST_scavenge
@@ -47,13 +173,42 @@ LIST_code:
 # FUN objects
 # | ptr | thunkptr | args | arg[0] | arg[1] | ... | arg[args] |
 FUN_evacuate:
-	retq #TODO
+	mov 020(%rbp), %rbx # rbx = count of arguments
+	mov %rbx, %rcx # rcx = count of arguments for later looping
+	lea 030(%rbp, %rbx, 010), %rdx # rdx = address of the arguments
+	FUN_evacuate_one:
+	sub $1, %rcx
+	jl FUN_evacuate_fini
+	sub $010, %rdx
+	pushq (%rdx)
+	jmp FUN_evacuate_one
+	FUN_evacuate_fini:
+	pushq %rbx
+	pushq 010(%rbp)
+	pushq 000(%rbp)
+	mov %rsp, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate_ret
 FUN_scavenge:
-	mov 020(%rbp), %rax
-	add $3, %rax
-	shl $3, %rax
-	add %rax, %rsi
-	retq
+	mov 020(%rbp), %r13 # r13 = count of arguments (for looping)
+	mov %rbp, %r15 # r15 = scavengee ptr
+	lea 030(%rbp, %r13, 010), %r14 # r14 = address of argument
+
+	FUN_scavenge_one:
+	sub $1, %r13
+	jl FUN_scavenge_fini
+	sub $010, %r14
+	mov (%r14), %rbp
+	mov $FUN_scavenge_one_cont, %rsi
+	jmp _gc_evacuate
+	FUN_scavenge_one_cont:
+	mov %rbp, (%r14)
+	jmp FUN_scavenge_one
+
+	FUN_scavenge_fini:
+	mov %r15, %rbp # restore rbp
+	mov 020(%rbp), %r14
+	lea 030(%rbp, %r14, 010), %rbp
+	jmp _gc_scavenge_ret
 
 # Info tables for FUN objects.
 FUN0_info_table:
@@ -90,39 +245,46 @@ FUN4_info_table:
 	cell 4
 FUN4_code:
 	continue
+# add more funN here as needed
 
-# TODO: add more funN here as needed
-
-# indirection (Q: how to recognize IND and THUNK on return?)
-# | ptr | indptr |
-IND_evacuate:
-	retq #TODO
-IND_scavenge:
-	add $020,%rsi
-	retq
-IND_info:
-	cell IND_evacuate
-	cell IND_scavenge
-	cell 0
-IND_code:
-	enter 010(%rbp)
-
-# THU objects (gc implementation only, actual THUs are defined by functions)
+# THU objects (gc implementation only, actual THU data are created by functions)
 # | ptr | args | arg[0] | arg[1] | ... | arg[args] |
 # args wouldn't need to be here but let's keep them for gc simplicity
 THU_evacuate:
-	retq #TODO
+	mov 010(%rbp), %rbx # rbx = count of arguments
+	mov %rbx, %rcx # rcx = count of arguments for later looping
+	lea 020(%rbp, %rbx, 010), %rdx # rdx = address of the argument
+	THU_evacuate_one:
+	sub $1, %rcx
+	jl THU_evacuate_fini
+	sub $010, %rdx
+	pushq (%rdx)
+	jmp THU_evacuate_one
+	THU_evacuate_fini:
+	pushq %rbx
+	pushq 000(%rbp)
+	mov %rsp, %rbp
+	jmp _gc_evacuate_ret
 THU_scavenge:
-	mov 010(%rbp), %rax
-	add $2,%rax
-	shl $3,%rax
-	add %rax,%rsi
-	retq
+	mov 010(%rbp), %r13 # r13 = count of arguments (for looping)
+	mov %rbp, %r15 # r15 = scavengee ptr
+	lea 020(%rbp, %r13, 010), %r14 # r14 = address of argument
 
-.endif # _data_s_file
+	THU_scavenge_one:
+	sub $1, %r13
+	jl THU_scavenge_fini
+	sub $010, %r14
+	mov (%r14), %rbp
+	mov $THU_scavenge_one_cont, %rsi
+	jmp _gc_evacuate
+	THU_scavenge_one_cont:
+	mov %rbp, (%r14)
+	jmp THU_scavenge_one
+
+	THU_scavenge_fini:
+	mov %r15, %rbp # restore rbp
+	mov 010(%rbp), %r14
+	lea 020(%rbp, %r14, 010), %rbp
+	jmp _gc_scavenge_ret
 
-# evacuate and scavenge:
-# - evacuate just copies the object
-# - scavenge evacuates all children (to the new location IF they are in the old
-#   location), changes the pointer, and moves the scavenge pointer to the next
-#   object (because everything needs to be scavenged)
+.endif # _data_s_file
diff --git a/include/gc.s b/include/gc.s
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b40ac95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/gc.s
@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+
+.ifndef _gc_s_file
+_gc_s_file:
+
+.section .bss
+_write_region_start:
+	# begin of the active memory area
+	cell 0
+_write_region_end:
+	# end of the active memory area (%rsp kinda starts here and goes down
+	# towars the start)
+	cell 0
+_gc_trigger:
+	# point in memory where the gc will trigger (we don't necessarily wait for the write region to fill up!)
+	cell 0
+
+_gc_last_size:
+	# how much data we evacuated last time
+	cell 0
+_gc_min_alloc:
+	# minimum possible allocation
+	cell 0 # tunable constant
+_gc_grow_ratio:
+	# 256th's of the minimal amount of memory increment compared to the
+	# last time. New minimal amount is compared as:
+	# (ratio * last size) >> 8
+	cell 0 # tunable constant
+_gc_shrink_ratio:
+	# 256th's of the ratio of post-gc still-free to-space that should be considered for discarding
+	cell 0
+
+_gc_region_start:
+	# in GC, this region is being evacuated and will eventually disappear
+	cell 0
+_gc_region_end:
+	# end of the disappear region
+	cell 0
+
+_gc_backup_thunk:
+	# backup of %rsi so that we can use the register for other nonsense
+	cell 0
+_gc_backup_cont:
+	# backup of %rbp for same reason
+	cell 0
+
+.section .text
+
+.macro needs_alloc amount
+	mov %rsp, %rax
+	sub _write_region_start, %rax
+	cmp \amount, %rax
+	jb _uskel_gc
+.endm
+
+_uskel_alloc:
+	mov %rsi, %r15 # %rsi is the return address; back it up
+
+	# calculate the desired size to %r14
+	mov _gc_min_alloc, %r14
+	#add _gc_region_end, %r14
+	#sub _gc_region_start, %r14
+
+	# check if the desired size isn't greater because of the last gc use
+	mov _gc_last_size, %rax
+	mulq _gc_grow_ratio
+	shr $8, %rax
+	add _gc_min_alloc, %rax
+	cmp %r14, %rax
+	cmova %rax, %r14
+
+	# check if we don't need even more space because we need to evacuate stuff
+	mov _gc_region_end, %rax
+	sub %rsp, %rax # trick -- if we counted from gc region start, allocated memory could never shrink
+	cmp %r14, %rax
+	cmova %rax, %r14
+
+	and $0xfffffffffffffff8, %r14 #align
+
+	alloc_goes_mmap:
+	mov $9, %rax # mmap
+	mov $0, %rdi # addr = NULL
+	mov %r14, %rsi # len = %r14
+	mov $0b11, %rdx # prot = PROT_READ 0b1 | PROT_WRITE 0b10
+	mov $0x22, %r10 # flags = MAP_PRIVATE 0x2 | MAP_ANONYMOUS 0x20
+	mov $-1, %r8 # fd = -1
+	mov $0, %r9 # off = 0
+	syscall
+
+	# store the results
+	mov %rax, _write_region_start
+	add %r14, %rax
+	mov %rax, _write_region_end
+	mov %rax, %rsp # initialize writing into the new region
+
+	jmp *%r15
+
+_uskel_gc_init:
+	mov %rsi, %r13
+	movq $0x100000, _gc_min_alloc # must be higher than 2x the biggest thunk possible
+	movq $0x180, _gc_grow_ratio
+	movq $0x40, _gc_shrink_ratio
+	mov $0, %rsp # fake original rsp for first alloc run
+	mov $_uskel_gc_init_cont, %rsi
+	jmp _uskel_alloc
+	_uskel_gc_init_cont:
+	mov _write_region_start, %rax
+	mov %rax, _gc_trigger
+	jmp *%r13
+
+_uskel_gc:
+	# save what we did before ending up here
+	mov %rbp, _gc_backup_thunk
+	mov %rsi, _gc_backup_cont
+
+	# first we need a new memory area
+	mov _write_region_start, %rbx
+	mov _write_region_end, %rcx
+	mov %rbx, _gc_region_start
+	mov %rcx, _gc_region_end
+	mov $_uskel_gc_evacuate, %rsi
+	jmp _uskel_alloc
+	_uskel_gc_evacuate:
+
+	# point the writer to the new memory area
+	mov _write_region_end, %rsp
+	mov %rsp, %r8 # % r8 is the "last thing that was scavenged"
+
+	# start by evacuating the thunk and cont
+	mov _gc_backup_thunk, %rbp
+	mov $_uskel_gc_evacuate_cont_thunk, %rsi
+	jmp _gc_evacuate
+	_uskel_gc_evacuate_cont_thunk:
+	mov %rbp, _gc_backup_thunk
+
+	mov _gc_backup_cont, %rbp
+	mov $_uskel_gc_evacuate_cont_cont, %rsi
+	jmp _gc_evacuate
+	_uskel_gc_evacuate_cont_cont:
+	mov %rbp, _gc_backup_cont
+
+	# scavenge everything
+	_uskel_gc_scavenge:
+	# start at what we wrote last
+	mov %rsp, %rbp # rbp is the iterator (conveniently)
+	mov %rsp, %r9 # % r9 stores where we started with this evacuate round
+
+	# if the thing is already scavenged, we didn't write anything, mark done.
+	cmp %rbp, %r8
+	jbe _uskel_gc_scavenge_end
+
+	_uskel_gc_scavenge1:
+	# if all ok, scavenge one thing (moving %rbp) and recheck
+	mov (%rbp), %rax
+	jmp *-020(%rax) # scavenge position in infotable
+	_gc_scavenge_ret:
+	cmp %rbp, %r8
+	ja _uskel_gc_scavenge1
+
+	# everything above r9 is now scavenged, continue with next round
+	mov %r9, %r8 # we started at r9, so that is now "done"
+	jmp _uskel_gc_scavenge
+
+	_uskel_gc_scavenge_end:
+	# deallocate the old memory region
+	mov $11, %rax # munmap
+	mov _gc_region_end, %rsi
+	mov _gc_region_start, %rdi # addr = gc start
+	sub %rdi, %rsi # len = gc end - gc start
+	syscall
+
+	# recalculate the gc trigger point
+	mov %rsp, %rax
+	sub _write_region_start, %rax
+	mulq _gc_shrink_ratio
+	shr $8, %rax
+	add _write_region_start, %rax
+	mov %rax, _gc_trigger
+
+	# save how much data we actually had at this point
+	mov _write_region_end, %rax
+	sub %rsp, %rax
+	mov %rax, _gc_last_size
+
+	# restore what we were doing
+	mov _gc_backup_thunk, %rbp
+	mov _gc_backup_cont, %rsi
+	enter_rbp # for simplicity just restart the thunk
+
+_gc_evacuate:
+	# check if we are really out of the target region
+	cmp _write_region_start, %rbp
+	jb _gc_evacuate_go
+	cmp _write_region_end, %rbp
+	jae _gc_evacuate_go
+	_gc_evacuate_skip:
+	# if not, let's just jump to cont and leave %rbp as result
+	jmp *%rsi
+	_gc_evacuate_go:
+	# if we should evacuate, jump to the evac routine
+	mov %rbp, %r10
+	mov (%rbp), %rax
+	jmp *-030(%rax)
+	_gc_evacuate_ret:
+	# install the indirection
+	movq $IND_code, 000(%r10)
+	mov %rbp, 010(%r10)
+	jmp *%rsi
+
+
+.endif #_gc_s_file
diff --git a/include/intops.s b/include/intops.s
index dbadb37..08b3300 100644
--- a/include/intops.s
+++ b/include/intops.s
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ _intops_s_file:
 .include "include/primops.s"
 
 .primop2 plus
-	mov 010(%rsi), %rax # arg 2 
+	mov 010(%rsi), %rax # arg 2
 	mov 020(%rbp), %rsi # location of arg1
 	add 010(%rsi), %rax # arg 1
 	primop2_ret_int %rax
 
 .primop2 mul
-	mov 010(%rsi), %rax # arg 2 
+	mov 010(%rsi), %rax # arg 2
 	mov 020(%rbp), %rsi # location of arg1
 	mulq 010(%rsi) # arg 1 (goes to %rax and %rdx)
 	primop2_ret_int %rax
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ _intops_s_file:
 .primop2 sub
 	mov 020(%rbp), %rdi # location of arg1
 	mov 010(%rdx), %rax # arg 1
-	sub 010(%rsi), %rax # arg 2 
+	sub 010(%rsi), %rax # arg 2
 	primop2_ret_int %rax
 
 .endif # _intops_s_file
diff --git a/include/io.s b/include/io.s
index 205f144..29a63c9 100644
--- a/include/io.s
+++ b/include/io.s
@@ -4,11 +4,13 @@ _io_s_file:
 
 # | int | -> cont
 .thunkcode print
+	needs_alloc $040
 	thunkto %rsi, $print_fini, $2, %rbp, %rsi
 	enter 020(%rbp)
 
 # arg -> | ret | cont |
 .thunkcode print_fini
+	needs_alloc $0110 #64 bit characters + 8 backup
 	mov 010(%rsi), %rax
 
 	# make a string
@@ -24,7 +26,7 @@ _io_s_file:
 	shr $1, %rax
 	jnz print_fini_loop
 
-	mov $0, %rdi #stdin
+	mov $1, %rdi #stdout
 	mov %rsp, %rdx
 	sub %r15, %rdx #size
 	mov %r15, %rsi #buf
diff --git a/include/listops.s b/include/listops.s
index 447c125..0ee39ad 100644
--- a/include/listops.s
+++ b/include/listops.s
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ _listops_s_file:
 
 # | n | list | -> cont
 .primop2 list_int_index
+	needs_alloc $060
+
 	mov 010(%rsi), %rdx # the list constructor id, must be 1
 	cmp $1, %rdx
 	jne list_int_index_not_found
diff --git a/include/main_exit.s b/include/main_exit.s
index 1a38e5a..5ce6c76 100644
--- a/include/main_exit.s
+++ b/include/main_exit.s
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
 .ifndef _main_exit_s_file
 _main_exit_s_file:
 
-# exitcode -> | cont (unused, should be 0) |
+# exitcode -> ||
 .thunkcode main_exit
-	mov 010(%rsi), %rdi # result goes to syscall exitcode
+	mov 010(%rsi), %rdi # result INT goes to syscall exitcode
 	mov $60, %rax  # exit=60
 	syscall # exit %rdi
 
-# TODO this is a "case" kind of thunk so it's quite likely that it really
-# doesn't need the continuation.
-
 .endif # _main_exit_s_file
diff --git a/include/primops.s b/include/primops.s
index f532144..117bcca 100644
--- a/include/primops.s
+++ b/include/primops.s
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ _primops_s_file:
 .macro .primop1 name
 # | arg1 | -> cont
 .thunkcode \name
+	needs_alloc $040
 	# push a thunk for collecting the first arg and set it as continuation
 	thunkto %rsi, $\name\()_fini, $2, %rbp, %rsi
 	enter 020(%rbp) # evaluate arg1
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@ _primops_s_file:
 .macro .primop2 name
 # | arg1 | arg2 | -> cont
 .thunkcode \name
+	needs_alloc $050
 	# push a thunk for collecting the first arg and set it as continuation
 	thunkto %rsi, $\name\()_step1, $3, 030(%rbp), %rbp, %rsi
 	enter 020(%rbp) # evaluate arg1
diff --git a/include/uskel.s b/include/uskel.s
index 34ee63a..0a21217 100644
--- a/include/uskel.s
+++ b/include/uskel.s
@@ -9,46 +9,34 @@ _start:
 .include "include/macros.s"
 
 .section .bss
-_memory_state:
-	cell 0 # bottom of allocation (grows down)
-	cell 0 # region start
-	cell 0 # region end
-	cell 0 # program entry rsp (aka the actual stack)
+_unix_rsp:
+	# back-up of program entry rsp (aka the actual stack given by the
+	# actual OS; we might like to use it at some point, maybe)
+	cell 0
 
-.section .text
+.include "include/gc.s"
 
-_uskel_alloc_basic_mem:
-	mov $0x100000, %r15 # desired size
-
-	mov $9, %rax # mmap
-	mov $0, %rdi # addr = NULL
-	mov %r15, %rsi # len = %rcx
-	mov $0b11, %rdx # prot = PROT_READ 0b1 | PROT_WRITE 0b10
-	mov $0x22, %r10 # flags = MAP_PRIVATE 0x2 | MAP_ANONYMOUS 0x20
-	mov $-1, %r8 # fd = -1
-	mov $0, %r9 # off = 0
-	syscall
-	mov $_memory_state, %rdi
-	mov %rax, 010(%rdi)
-	add %r15, %rax
-	mov %rax, (%rdi)
-	mov %rax, 020(%rdi)
-	retq
+.section .text
 
 _uskel_start:
-	call _uskel_alloc_basic_mem
-	# use the stack pointer for easy writing to the heap,
-	# but back it up to memory state
-	mov $_memory_state, %rdi
-	mov %rsp, 030(%rdi)
-	mov 0(%rdi), %rsp
+	# we use the stack pointer for easy writing to the heap;
+	# back it up to memory state just if we ever needed it again.
+	mov %rsp, _unix_rsp
+
+	# allocate the initial chunk of memory
+	mov $_uskel_start_main, %rsi
+	jmp _uskel_gc_init
 
+	_uskel_start_main:
 	# push a thunk for main
 	pushq $0
 	pushq $main
 
-	mov $0, %rsi # set continuation to exit
+	# loop the continuation to itself (prevents gc trouble, should never be reached)
+	mov %rsp, %rsi
 	enter %rsp # run the program
 	# Q: are there gonna be functions that have both the argument AND the cont?
-	# A: No, stuff is either entered as return-continuation (takes res, cont has to be saved) or as forward call (takes cont)
-	# (needs validation)
+	# A: No, stuff is either entered as return-continuation (takes res,
+	# cont has to be saved) or as forward call (takes cont)
+	#
+	# (A needs validation)