System error handling in a data processing apparatus

摘要

Apparatus for data processing and a method of data processing where data processing operations are performed in response to data processing instructions. An error exception condition is set if a data processing operation has not been successful. It is determined if an error memory barrier condition exists 40 and an error memory barrier procedure is performed in dependence on whether the error memory barrier condition exists. The error memory barrier procedure comprises, if the error exception condition is set 44 and if an error mask condition is set 46, setting a deferred error exception condition 50 and clearing the error exception condition 52. The system recognises when a system error is reported to processing circuitry that is already performing an exception handing procedure triggered by a previous exception and using an error mask condition enables the processing circuitry to prioritize its response to the error and allows the system to distinguish the source resulting in the system error occurrence.