Apparatus and method in a data processing system for manipulation of signal groups having boundaries not coinciding with boundaries of signal group storage space

摘要

In a data processing system wherein memory space in a memory unit is divided into addressable locations capable of storing a group of signals of predetermined number called signal words, and wherein an entire word or groups of entire words are exchanged between the memory unit and a central processing unit, more efficient operation of the data processing unit can be obtained if groups of related signals called operands can be stored consecutively in the addressable locations without regard to the word boundaries. Thus, operand boundaries can have arbitrary positions in boundary words. When a word containing an operand boundary is transferred to the central processing unit, non-operand data is also transferred with the word. The non-operand data occurring in the boundary words is removed from the operand signal group and stored in the central processing unit. After manipulation of the operand by the central processing unit, the non-operand data is re-inserted in the boundary words in the signal positions previously occupied and the word group containing the manipulation or resulting operand is stored in the memory location from which it was originally removed.