Context switching technique for processors with large register files

摘要

A computer system and a method for operating a processor including the steps of establishing a first register save area (209a) and a second register save area (209b) in a memory (107), where each register save area holds data values that define a context, are described. The first context is loaded in the processor (102) by loading at least some of the data values from the first register save area into the plurality of registers (203). A first pointer value to the first register save area is stored in a current register file save area (RFSA) register (204). A context switch is indicated by storing a second pointer to the second register save area in the current RFSA register. The first pointer is transferred from the current RFSA register to a previous RFSA register. All of the data values that define the first context are transferred from the registers to a shadow register file (207). The second context is established in the processor by loading selected data values from the second register file save area into the plurality of registers.