Instruction set extension using operand bearing NOP instructions

Abstract

Instruction set extension using operand bearing no-operation (NOP) or other instructions. In one embodiment, an apparatus can execute a first instruction with an operand associated with a second instruction. The apparatus includes a decoder to identify an operand associated with the second instruction as being designated for the first instruction. An execution unit executes an operation indicated by the first instruction to operate on the operand associated with the second instruction. The second instruction may occur before or after the first instruction in the program sequence.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Field [0002] The present disclosure pertains to the field of processors. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a new instruction or a change to an instruction or an instruction set of a processor. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Computer architects often grapple with the difficulty of extending the instruction set of a processor. Often, instruction sets far outlive their originally contemplated lifespan because an installed base of software makes it profitable to maintain backward compatibility. Therefore, computer architects often add new instructions or new functionality to old instruction sets in order to provide new features yet maintain compatibility with the previously installed software base. [0005] Adding new functionality to an existing instruction set can be a challenging exercise. Typically, an instruction set may have a set of mnemonics that translate into specific opcodes. The opcodes are binary values that are understood...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a method for extending the instruction set of a processor by adding new instructions or changing existing instructions. One challenge that computer architects face is the limitation of the number of operands that can be specified for an instruction. The invention proposes using operand bearing instructions to carry additional operands to other instructions, allowing for more flexibility in instruction set design. The invention also discusses various techniques for translating and executing these instructions, as well as providing flexibility in operand usage. Overall, the invention provides a way to extend the instruction set of a processor while maintaining compatibility with existing software.

Problems solved by technology

Computer architects often grapple with the difficulty of extending the instruction set of a processor.

Adding new functionality to an existing instruction set can be a challenging exercise.

An additional limitation of an instruction set is that there may be a limited number of ways to specify operands.

As such, there may a limitation on the number of operands that can be explicitly specified for an instruction.

In this type of arrangement, a burden is placed on a programmer to move the appropriate operand into the specified location prior to execution of the instruction that uses that operand.

This technique has limited flexibility as well because all of the operands are accessed from the specific pre-defined locations in the register pair or quad.

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