Directed least recently used cache replacement method

摘要

Fine grained control of cache maintenance resulting in improved cache hit rate and processor performance by storing age values and aging rates for respective code lines stored in the cache to direct performance of a least recently used (LRU) strategy for casting out lines of code from the cache which become less likely, over time, of being needed by a processor, thus supporting improved performance of a processor accessing the cache. The invention is implemented by the provision for entry of an arbitrary age value when a corresponding code line is initially stored in or accessed from the cache and control of the frequency or rate at which the age of each code is incremented in response to a limited set of command instructions which may be placed in a program manually or automatically using an optimizing compiler.