OPTIONAL BRANCHES

摘要

Branch instructions are provided for improved execution performance. The branch instruction includes one or more paths that are marked as a safe path for execution. If a marked path is executed based on a branch prediction, the execution continues until completion after it is determined that the other path is the correct path.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a branch prediction unit operative to receive a branch instruction that includes a first path to be taken under a first condition and a second path to be taken under a second condition, and to predict which one of the first path and the second path is a correct path to be taken, wherein the first path is marked as a safe path for execution; and execution circuitry coupled to the branch prediction unit, the execution circuitry operative to execute the first path based on a prediction result, and to continue the execution of the first path until completion after it is determined that the second path is the correct path.