3.3.2.1 Autoinitializing Variables at Run Time (--rom_model)

Autoinitializing variables at run time is the default method of autoinitialization. To use this method, invoke the linker with the --rom_model option.

The ROM model allows initialization data to be stored in slow non-volatile memory and copied to fast memory each time the program is reset. Use this method if your application runs from code burned into slow memory or needs to survive a reset.

For the ROM model, the .cinit section is loaded into memory along with all the other initialized sections. The linker defines a special symbol called __TI_CINIT_Base that points to the beginning of the initialization tables in memory. When the program begins running, the C boot routine copies data from the tables (pointed to by .cinit) into the run-time location of the variables.

Figure 3-3 illustrates autoinitialization at run time using the ROM model.

Figure 3-3 Autoinitialization at Run Time