Static queue and index queue for storing values identifying static queue locations

Abstract

A queuing apparatus associated with a processor includes at least one static queue (,), an index generator (,), at least one index queue (,), and a static queue accessing arrangement. Each static queue (,) has a number of static queue locations (,), each for storing a static queue entry and an availability indicator (,) for indicating an availability status of the respective static queue location. The index generator (,) uses information from the static queue (,) to provide a unique index value for each static queue entry, the index value for a particular static queue entry identifying the static queue location (,) containing the particular static queue entry. Each index queue (,) has a number of index queue locations (,), each for storing one of the index values provided by the index generator (,). The static queue accessing arrangement retrieves a selected index value from a particular index queue location (,), and uses the selected index value to retrieve the static queue entry with which the selected index value is associated. Multiple index queues (,) facilitate prioritization of static queue entries, and reprioritization by transferring index queue values from one index queue to another. The index queues (,) also facilitate compaction of unnecessary static queue entries.