Processor using less hardware and instruction conversion apparatus reducing the number of types of instructions

Abstract

An instruction conversion apparatus and method for converting instruction sequences not including conditional instructions into instruction sequences including conditional instructions wherein the conditional instructions include both a condition and an operation code for execution by the processor when the condition is satisfied. An obtaining unit receives an instruction sequence that does not include a conditional instruction whereby an instruction sequence detection unit detects a conversion target instruction sequence which transfers different transfer objects to the same storage resource when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A judging unit judges whether the instruction set of a specialized processor is assigned a conditional instruction including the same condition as the precondition whereby a conversion unit can then convert the conversion target instruction sequence into the instruction sequence including a conditional instruction with the predetermined condition. While the judgment unit decision is negative, the conversion unit converts the conversion target instruction sequence into an instruction sequence including a conditional instruction with a condition that is mutually exclusive with the predetemiined condition.