when method/function is called an activation record is createdits size depends on the number and size of the local variables and parameters the base pointer value is saved in the special location reserved for it the program counter value is saved in the return address location the base pointer is now reset to the new base (top of the call stack prior to the creation of the ar the program counter is set to the location of the first bytecode of the method being called copies the calling parameters into the parameter region initializes local variables in the local variable region while the method executesthe local variables and parameters are simply found by adding constant associated with each variable/parameter to the base pointer when method returns get the program counter from the activation record and replace what' in the pc get the base pointer value from the ar and replace what' in the bp pop the ar entirely from the stack