Processor structure and method for tracking instruction status to

Abstract

Apparatus and method provide for tracking and maintaining precise state by assigning a unique identification tag to each instruction at the time of issue, associating the tag with a storage location in a first active instruction data structure, updating the data stored in the storage location in response to instruction activity status changes for each instruction, and maintaining a plurality of pointers to the storage locations that move in response to the instruction activity status. Status information includes an activity data item, such as an activity bit, that is set at the time the instruction is issued and cleared when execution completes without error. Pointers are established that point to the last issued instruction, the last committed instruction pointer, and reclaimed instruction pointer. These three pointers are moved forward toward the later issued (newer) instructions along the data structure based on comparisons of the active-bit for each location associated with one instruction in the data structure and predetermined rules. Exceptions or error conditions for any instruction prevent changing the active-bit so that movement of the pointers is controlled and prevented under these error conditions.