Sort Lists Instruction for General-Purpose Processor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing database processing methods require complex sequences of primitive instructions for sort and merge operations, leading to increased complexity and reduced performance due to the need for optimization across different processor models.
Innovation Solution
A single architected instruction, such as the Sort Lists instruction, is used to perform sorting and merging operations on a general-purpose processor, replacing multiple primitive instructions and optimizing performance by designating operation codes, registers, and parameter blocks to facilitate sorting and merging of data records.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple primitive instructions are used to perform sort and merge operations, then the operations can be executed on a general-purpose processor, but the program complexity increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple primitive instructions into a single architected sort instruction that performs sorting operations. This single instruction integrates the functionality of multiple separate instructions, reducing program complexity while maintaining compatibility with general-purpose processors through standardized instruction formats and register operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sort instruction is designed with multi-functionality to handle various sorting scenarios including different data types, sorting orders, and optimization levels. By incorporating multiple functions within a single instruction, the patent eliminates the need for separate instructions for each sorting variant, thereby reducing overall program complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple primitive instructions are used to perform sort and merge operations, then the operations can be executed on a general-purpose processor, but the overall performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple primitive instructions into a single architected sort instruction, the patent reduces the total number of instruction cycles required for sorting operations. This consolidation eliminates overhead associated with multiple separate instruction executions and improves processing performance while maintaining general-purpose processor compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sort instruction incorporates preliminary actions such as data alignment, register preparation, and parameter setup within the instruction itself. By performing these preparatory actions as part of the single instruction execution, the patent eliminates separate preparation steps that would otherwise reduce overall processing performance.
3Productivity
If primitive instructions are optimized for each processor model, then performance can be improved, but the application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sort instruction is designed as a universal instruction that functions across different processor models without requiring model-specific optimizations. By implementing a standardized instruction format with configurable parameters, the patent achieves consistent performance across processor models while eliminating the complexity of writing separate optimized code for each model.
Solution Approach 2:
The instruction allows for parameter changes to accommodate different processor models and sorting requirements. By using configurable parameters within the single instruction rather than model-specific instruction sets, the patent maintains performance optimization capabilities while reducing application complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
A Sort Lists instruction is provided to perform a sort and/or a merge operation. The instruction is an architected machine instruction of an instruction set architecture and is executed by a general-purpose processor of the computing environment. The executing includes sorting a plurality of input lists to obtain one or more sorted output lists, which are output.