Abstract: Grouping of memory-based configuration state registers based on execution environment. A first set of configuration state registers is assigned to one memory region corresponding to a first execution environment, and a second set of configuration state registers is assigned to another memory region corresponding to a second execution environment. The first set of configuration state registers is separate from the second set of configuration state registers.

Abstract: Processing within a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) computing environment is facilitated by obtaining memory for a memory heap for an application of a virtualized environment of the NUMA computing environment, and assigning portions of memory of the obtained memory to locality domain-based freelists. The assigning including obtaining, for a selected portion of memory of the portions of memory, a locality domain within the NUMA computing environment with which the portion of memory is associated, and adding the selected portion of memory to a corresponding locality domain-based freelist of the locality domain-based freelists based on the associated locality domain of the portion of memory. Domain locality is then used in allocating the memory from the locality domain-based freelists to processors of the NUMA computing environment performing processing of the application.

Abstract: Sharing snapshots between restoration and recovery. A snapshot to be used for recovery and restoration is obtained. The snapshot includes restoration state for a plurality of architected registers. The plurality of architected registers includes one or more architected registers associated with an instruction to alter an execution path and one or more architected registers associated with a save request. At least one architected register of the plurality of architected registers is restored, based on a request. The request is a recovery request to recover at least one architected register associated with the instruction to alter the execution path or a restoration request to restore at least one architected register associated with the save request.

Abstract: A determination is made that a configuration architectural mode facility is installed in a computing environment that is configured for a plurality of architectural modes and has a defined power-on sequence that is to power-on the computing environment in one architectural mode of the plurality of architectural modes. Based on determining that the configuration architectural mode facility is installed, the computing environment is reconfigured to restrict use of the one architectural mode. The reconfiguring includes selecting a different power-on sequence to power-on the computing environment in other architectural mode of the plurality of architectural modes, wherein the other architectural mode is different from the one architectural mode, and executing the different power-on sequence to power-on the computing environment in the other architectural mode in place of the one architectural mode restricting use of the one architectural mode.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system performing a method that include a processor defining a code fingerprint by obtaining parameters describing at least one of an event type or an event. The code fingerprint includes a first sequence. The processor loads the code fingerprint into a register accessible to the processor. Concurrent with executing a program, the processor obtains the code fingerprint from the register and identifies the code fingerprint in the program by comparing a second sequence in the program to the first sequence. Based on identifying the code fingerprint in the program, the processor alerts a runtime environment where the program is executing.

Abstract: Predicting a Table of Contents (TOC) pointer value responsive to branching to a subroutine. A subroutine is called from a calling module executing on a processor. Based on calling the subroutine, a value of a pointer to a reference data structure, such as a TOC, is predicted. The predicting is performed prior to executing a sequence of one or more instructions in the subroutine to compute the value. The value that is predicted is used to access the reference data structure to obtain a variable value for a variable of the subroutine.

Abstract: Register restoration using transactional memory register snapshots. An indication that a transaction is to be initiated is obtained. Based on obtaining the indication, a determination is made as to whether register restoration is in active use. Based on obtaining the indication and determining register restoration is in active use, register restoration is deactivated. To recover one or more architected registers of the transaction, a transactional rollback snapshot is created.

Abstract: A determination is made that a configuration architectural mode facility is installed in a computing environment that is configured for a plurality of architectural modes and has a defined power-on sequence that is to power-on the computing environment in one architectural mode of the plurality of architectural modes. Based on determining that the configuration architectural mode facility is installed, the computing environment is reconfigured to restrict use of the one architectural mode. The reconfiguring includes selecting a different power-on sequence to power-on the computing environment in another architectural mode of the plurality of architectural modes, wherein the another architectural mode is different from the one architectural mode, and executing the different power-on sequence to power-on the computing environment in the another architectural mode in place of the one architectural mode restricting use of the one architectural mode.

Abstract: Stores and/or loads are coalesced. In one example, a store request to store an architected register is obtained. A determination is made as to whether the store request is a potential start of a store sequence. Based on determining the store request is a potential start of a store sequence, a snapshot request to create a snapshot is initiated. The snapshot is to map architected registers with physical registers. Based on determining the store request is not a potential start of the store sequence, the store is performed.

Abstract: A parallel processing method, system, and/or computer program product for performing data parallel wide accesses on an unstructured text is provided. The parallel processing includes creating a pointer that points to a beginning of the unstructured text and loading into a vector register a string segment of the unstructured text based on the pointer. Then, access permissions of a first byte of the string segment are automatically tested. In turn, a determination is made as to whether the string segment includes an end indication, and a remaining portion of the unstructured text is validated by accessing and loading a last character identified by the end indication into the vector register when the string segment is determined to include the end indication.

Abstract: Code-specific affiliated register prediction. A determination is made as to whether a unit of code is a candidate for affiliated register prediction. The determining employs a code specific indicator specific to the unit of code. Based on determining the unit of code is a candidate for affiliated register prediction, an indication of an affiliated register is loaded into a selected location. Based on the loading, the affiliated register is employed in speculative processing.

Abstract: A determination is made that a unit of memory that provides storage for one or more in-memory configuration state registers is to be pinned in a system that includes a guest operating system and one or more hosts at one or more host levels. Based on determining that the unit of memory is to be pinned, at least one host of the one or more hosts is notified that the unit of memory is to be pinned.

Abstract: Code-specific affiliated register prediction. A determination is made as to whether a unit of code is a candidate for affiliated register prediction. The determining employs a code specific indicator specific to the unit of code. Based on determining the unit of code is a candidate for affiliated register prediction, an indication of an affiliated register is loaded into a selected location. Based on the loading, the affiliated register is employed in speculative processing.

Abstract: A predicted value to be used in register-indirect branching is predicted. The predicted value is to be stored in one or more locations based on the prediction. An offset for a predicted derived value is obtained. The predicted derived value is to be used as a pointer to a reference data structure providing access to variables used in processing. The predicted derived value is generated using the predicted value and the offset. The predicted derived value is used to access the reference data structure during processing.

Abstract: Optimizations are provided for sibling calls. A sibling caller is marked to indicate that it may call a sibling routine or that it may call an external sibling routine. Based on the marking, certain processing is performed to facilitate use of sibling calls, particularly when the sibling routine being called is external to the caller.

Abstract: Effectiveness of prefetch instructions is determined. A prefetch instruction is executed to request that data be fetched into a cache of the computing environment. The effectiveness of the prefetch instruction is determined. This includes updating, based on executing the prefetch instruction, a cache directory of the cache. The updating includes, in the cache directory, effectiveness data relating to the data. The effectiveness data includes whether the data was installed in the cache based on the prefetch instruction. Additionally, the determining the effectiveness includes obtaining at least a portion of the effectiveness data from the cache directory, and using the at least a portion of effectiveness data to determine the effectiveness of the prefetch instruction.

Abstract: Setting or updating of floating point controls is managed. Floating point controls include controls used for floating point operations, such as rounding mode and/or other controls. Further, floating point controls include status associated with floating point operations, such as floating point exceptions and/or others. The management of the floating point controls includes efficiently updating the controls, while reducing costs associated therewith.

Abstract: A marking capability is used to provide an indication of whether a block of memory is backing an address translation structure of a control program being managed by a virtual machine manager. By providing the marking, the virtual machine manager may check the indication prior to making paging decisions. With this information, a hint may be provided to the hardware to be used in decisions relating to purging associated address translation structures, such as translation look-aside buffer (TLB) entries.

Abstract: A Set Table of Contents (TOC) Register instruction. An instruction to provide a pointer to a reference data structure, such as a TOC, is obtained by a processor and executed. The executing includes determining a value for the pointer to the reference data structure, and storing the value in a location (e.g., a register) specified by the instruction.

Abstract: Protecting in-memory configuration state registers. A request to access an in-memory configuration state register, such as a read or write request, is obtained. The in-memory configuration state register is mapped to memory. Error correction code of the memory is used to protect the access to the in-memory configuration state register.