METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING A SEQUENTIAL FLOW OF A PROGRAM USING ADVANCE NOTICE TECHNIQUES

摘要

A processor implements an apparatus and a method for providing advance notice of an indirect branch address. A target address generated by an instruction is automatically identified. A next program address is prepared based on a most current target address before an indirect branch instruction utilizing the most current target address is speculatively executed. The apparatus suitably employs a register for holding an instruction memory address that is specified by a program as a most current indirect address of an indirect branch instruction. The apparatus also employs a next program address selector that selects the most current indirect address from the register as the next program address for use in speculatively executing the indirect branch instruction.