from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
activation record
data frame
stack frame
<compiler> (Or "data frame", "stack frame") A data structure
containing the variables belonging to one particular {scope}
(e.g. a procedure body), as well as links to other activation
records.
Activation records are usually created (on the {stack}) on
entry to a block and destroyed on exit. If a procedure or
function may be returned as a result, stored in a variable and
used in an outer scope then its activation record must be
stored in a {heap} so that its variables still exist when it
is used. Variables in the current {scope} are accessed via
the {frame pointer} which points to the current activation
record. Variables in an outer scope are accessed by following
chains of links between activation records. There are two
kinds of link - the {static link} and the {dynamic link}.
(1995-03-07)