C51: Default Startup and Initialization Code

Information in this article applies to:

• C51 Version 5.50a and later

QUESTION

I've compiled and linked my 8051 program. I noticed that there is some startup code and variable initialization code that's included in my program. Where did it come from?

ANSWER

The startup code is stored in the STARTUP.A51 file (found in the \C51\LIB directory).

The initialization code is stored in the INIT.A51 file (also found in the \C51\LIB directory).

These 2 files are executed before your main C function. Immediately after RESET, STARTUP is executed. STARTUP calls INIT which initializes your programs global variables. INIT then calls the main C function.

These 2 files are assembled and included in the Keil C library. If you do not copy and modify the STARTUP and INIT files and include them in your project, the linker automatically includes the default ones from the library.

SEE ALSO

• C51: Is STARTUP.A51 Required?
• C51: Modifying the Startup Routines

Last Reviewed: Thursday, February 25, 2021