# Sections (ivss)

**Sections** group emitted bytes under names that the linker can merge and place. Switching sections changes the active output buffer; returning to a section resumes its existing contents:

```asm
.section my_data
first:
    .word 11

.section my_code
    halt

.section my_data
second:
    .word 22
```

The data section ends with two consecutive words, so `second` is at offset four. The intervening `halt` belongs to `my_code` and does not increase the data section's size.

ivss creates a section when first requested and reuses it on later `.section` directives. Labels record offsets within the selected section, rather than final runtime addresses. Section switching also does not insert an executable jump: a running processor simply follows its program counter.

The linker can choose explicit placement with an option such as `-place=my_code@0x40000000`. Choosing a section name alone does not set that address or change the emulator's initial program counter. Keep executable flow and data placement consistent when linking the complete program.

Source: [elf.c](https://github.com/yanevskiv/ivss/blob/main/src/elf.c).