Accessing time stamps during transactions in a processor

摘要

The described embodiments include a processor that handles operations during transactions. In these embodiments, the processor comprises one or more cores. During operation, at least one core is configured to monitor the acquisition of time stamps during transactions. The at least one core is further configured to prevent the acquisition of time stamps that meet predetermined conditions.

主权项

1. A method for handling operations during a transaction in a processor, wherein one or more attempts are made to acquire timestamps during the transaction, the method comprising:
monitoring acquisition of time stamps during the transaction, wherein each time stamp is acquired from a time stamp counter in the processor based on executing a corresponding time-stamp acquisition instruction; and preventing acquisition of a time stamp that meets a predetermined condition, the time stamp meeting the predetermined condition when the time stamp can be used to determine that one or more transactions executed concurrently, wherein the preventing comprises aborting the transaction or at least one other concurrent transaction when one or more time stamps and one or more operations in the transaction or the at least one other concurrent transaction make apparent an inconsistent ordering between the transaction and the at least one other concurrent transaction.