Historical Background
Prior to microcomputers, the machine manufacturer generally provided an operating system and compilers for several programming languages. The calling conventions adopted for the platform were those defined by the manufacturer's software implementation.
Early microcomputers before Apple II Computers generally came "bare" of an OS or compilers, as did the IBM PC. The only hardware standard for IBM PC compatible machines was defined by the Intel processors (8086, 80386) and the literal hardware IBM shipped. Hardware extensions and all software standards (save for a BIOS calling convention) were thrown open to market competition.
A multitude of independent software firms offered operating systems, compilers for many programming languages, and applications. Many different calling schemes were implemented by the firms, often mutually exclusive, based on different requirements, historical practices, and programmer creativity.
After the IBM compatible market shakeout, Microsoft operating systems and programming tools (with differing conventions) predominated, while second tier firms like Borland and Novell, and open source projects like GCC, still maintained their own standards. Provisions for inter-operability between vendors and products were eventually adopted, simplifying the problem of choosing a viable convention.
Read more about this topic: X86 Calling Conventions
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