A branch executing system and method

摘要

In a data processing apparatus, a system for executing branches in single entry-single exit (SESE) basic blocks (BBs) contained within a program has means receiving the said program for determining a branch instruction within each basic block and for adding firing time information to the branch instruction. The firing time information identifies a time of execution of the branch instruction which is a variable number of instruction cycles prior to a time of execution of a last-to-be-executed instruction of the basic block. The system also has a processor operative on received non-branch instructions in each basic block for processing the instructions, and means operative on the received branch instruction in the basic block in response to the firing time information for completing the execution of said branch instruction no later than the same time as the processor is processing the last-to-be-executed non-branch instruction so that the execution of the branch instruction occurs in parallel with the execution of the non-branch instructions thereby speeding the overall processing of the program by the system.