International Computers Limited

John Austin Jones

Brian J Procter

Peter L Desyllas

A data processing system is disclosed in which a store has a plurality of pairs of storage locations. An indicator is provided for each location pair to indicate which location of the pairs is to be used for read and write accesses. The indicators are each set to indicate that after a write access to a pair of locations, read accesses are to take place to the location of the pair currently indicated for write accesses and periodically, for example at the end of a sequence of instructions, the indicators are set to indicate that write accesses are to take place to the opposite location of the pair to that which is currently indicated for read accesses.

Data processing systems

A hierarchical data storage system comprises a main store and a smaller, faster slave store containing data currently required for processing. The memory system responds to a store access command to retrieve an item of data. In addition, for certain types of store access command, the system performs a look-ahead action to ensure that the slave store is loaded with another data item which forms part of a possible sequence. In certain cases, a test is made to determine whether the possible sequence is in the ascending or descending direction, and the look-ahead access is then made in the appropriate direction.

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Stockport, United Kingdom

John Austin Jones