Abstract: Subject program code is translated to target code in basic block units at run-time in a process wherein translation of basic blocks is interleaved with execution of those translations. A combination of processes designed to enhance the speed and efficiency of run-time translation are applied based on characteristics of particular blocks and include translating a set of contiguous basic blocks prior to execution (“extended basic blocks”) and grouping and ordering of frequently executed basic blocks for translation (“group blocking”).

Abstract: An emulator (30) allows subject code (10) written for a subject processor (12) having subject processor registers (14) and condition code flags (16) to run in a non-compatible computing environment (2). The emulator (3) identifies and records parameters of instructions in the subject code (10) that affect status of the subject condition code flags (16). Then, when an instruction in the subject code (10) is encountered, such as a branch or jump, that uses the flag status to make a decision, the flag status is resolved from the recorded instruction parameters. Advantageously, emulation overhead is substantially reduced.