Secondary trace build from a cache of translations in a caching dynamic translator

摘要

A method for growing a secondary trace out of a cache of translations for a program during the program's execution in a dynamic translator, comprising the steps of: maintaining execution counts for translation heads that are executed from a code cache; when an execution count for one of said translation heads exceeds a threshold, designated as a hot translation head, beginning a mode of operation in which, as following code translations are executed from the code cache after the execution of the hot translation head, storing in a history buffer information identifying each of the following code translations in sequence; terminating the storing of information in the history buffer in relation to the hot translation head when a termination condition is met; and linking together the translation head and the sequence of following code translations identified in the history buffer to form a larger code translation.