Method and apparatus for performing prefetching at the critical section level
US6427235B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2212/6024
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for compiling source code into executable code that performs prefetching for memory operations within critical sections of code that are subject to mutual exclusion. The system operates by compiling a source code module containing programming language instructions into an executable code module containing instructions suitable for execution by a processor. Next, the system identifies a critical section within the executable code module by identifying a region of code between a mutual exclusion lock operation and a mutual exclusion unlock operation. The system schedules explicit prefetch instructions into the critical section in advance of associated memory operations. In one embodiment, the system identifies the critical section of code by using a first macro to perform the mutual exclusion lock operation, wherein the first macro additionally activates prefetching. The system also uses a second macro to perform the mutual exclusion unlock operation, wherein the second macro additionally deactivates prefetching.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.