Method and apparatus for substituting compiler built-in helper functions with machine instructions

摘要

An executable program compiled according to a source instruction set architecture (source ISA) is loaded for execution by a target instruction set architecture (target ISA)-based hardware execution unit, wherein the source and target ISA's are different. The loading includes mapping a compiler built-in helper function in the executable program to a target ISA machine instruction. The loaded program is then executed. As part of the execution, the helper function is replaced with the target ISA machine instruction to which the helper function was mapped, and the target ISA machine instruction is executed rather than the helper function.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
loading an executable program comprising a sequence of machine instructions compiled according to a source instruction set architecture (source ISA) for execution by a target instruction set architecture (target ISA)-based hardware execution unit, the loading including mapping a compiler built-in helper function (“helper function”) in the executable program to a target ISA machine instruction; and executing the loaded program, the executing comprising replacing the helper function with the target ISA machine instruction to which the helper function was mapped by: retrieving the target ISA machine instruction from a mapping table entry that includes an address of a helper function that matches an address of the function call encountered in the executing program; andreplacing the function call in the executing program with the retrieved target ISA machine instruction; and
executing the target ISA machine instruction.