Copying character data having a termination character from one memory location to another

Abstract

Copying characters of a set of terminated character data from one memory location to another memory location using parallel processing and without causing unwarranted exceptions. The character data to be copied is loaded within one or more vector registers. In particular, in one embodiment, an instruction (e.g., a Vector Load to block Boundary instruction) is used that loads data in parallel in a vector register to a specified boundary, and provides a way to determine the number of characters loaded. To determine the number of characters loaded (a count), another instruction (e.g., a Load Count to Block Boundary instruction) is used. Further, an instruction (e.g., a Vector Find Element Not Equal instruction) is used to find the index of the first delimiter character, i.e., the first termination character, such as a zero or null character within the character data. This instruction checks a plurality of bytes of data in parallel.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]An aspect of the invention relates, in general, to text processing, and in particular, to processing associated with character data.[0002]Text processing often requires various types of character data processing, including the processing of character data strings. Some types of processing include finding the termination point (e.g., end of a string), determining the length of the character data, finding a particular character, copying character data, etc. Current instructions and / or techniques to perform these types of processing tend to be inefficient.BRIEF SUMMARY[0003]The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and advantages are provided through the provision of a computer program product for copying a set of data. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes, for instance, loading from memor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]Methods and systems relating to one or more aspects of the present invention are also described and claimed herein. Further, services relating to one or more aspects of the present invention are also described and may be claimed herein.

[0005]Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.

Problems solved by technology

Current instructions and / or techniques to perform these types of processing tend to be inefficient.