Long Return (lret)

lret
lret    	imm16

Operation

return to caller

Description

The lret instruction transfers control to a return address located on the stack. This address is usually placed on the stack by an lcall instruction. Issue the lret instruction within the called procedure to resume execution flow at the instruction following the call.

The optional numeric (16- or 32-bit) parameter to lret specifies the number of stack bytes or words to be released after the return address is popped from the stack. Typically, these bytes or words are used as input parameters to the called procedure.

For an intersegment (far) return, the address on the stack is a long pointer. The offset is popped first, followed by the selector.

In Real Mode, CS and IP are loaded directly. In Protected mode, an intersegment return causes the processor to check the descriptor addressed by the return selector. The AR byte of the descriptor must indicate a code segment of equal or lesser privilege (or greater or equal numeric value) than the current privilege level. Returns to a lesser privilege level cause the stack to be reloaded from the value saved beyond the parameter block.

Example

Transfer control to the return address located on the stack.

lret

Transfer control to the return address located on the stack. Release the next 16-bytes of parameters.

lret $-32767