Abstract: In a branch predictor in a processor capable of executing transactional memory transactions, the branch predictor speculatively predicts the outcome of branch instructions, such as taken/not-taken, the target address and the target instruction. Branch prediction information is buffered during a transaction, and is only loaded into the branch predictor when the transaction is completed. The branch prediction information is discarded if the transaction aborts.

Abstract: Context switch by changing memory pointers. A determination is made that a context switch is to be performed from a first context to a second context. Data of the first context is stored in one or more configuration state registers stored at least in part in a first memory unit and data of the second context is stored in one or more configuration state registers stored at least in part in a second memory unit. The context switch is performed by changing a pointer from the first memory unit to the second memory unit.

Abstract: Corruption of call stacks is detected by using guard words placed in the call stacks. A determination is made as to whether a callee routine is to include corruption detection logic to detect corruption of stacks. Based on determining the callee routine is to include the corruption detection logic, corruption detection logic is provided in the callee routine.

Abstract: Context switch by changing memory pointers. A determination is made that a context switch is to be performed from a first context to a second context. Data of the first context is stored in one or more configuration state registers stored at least in part in a first memory unit and data of the second context is stored in one or more configuration state registers stored at least in part in a second memory unit. The context switch is performed by changing a pointer from the first memory unit to the second memory unit.

Abstract: An application that includes intrinsics defined in one architecture is to execute without change on a different architecture. Program code that depends on vector element ordering is obtained, and that program code is part of an application including one or more intrinsics. The one or more intrinsics are mapped from a first system architecture for which the application was written to a second system architecture. One or more operations of the program code are then converted from a first data layout to a second data layout. The application, including the mapped intrinsics and the converted data layout, is to be executed on a processor of the different architecture.

Abstract: Register restoration invalidation based on a context switch. A context switch from one executing entity to another executing entity is detected. Based on detecting the context switch, an entry of a snapshot stack to be invalidated is selected. The entry of the snapshot stack provides an indication of a snapshot. The snapshot includes an assignment of one or more physical registers to one or more architected registers. The entry of the snapshot stack selected for invalidation is invalidated.

Abstract: Initialization status of a register to be used as a pointer to a reference data structure is used to determine how a stub is to be generated to access the reference data structure. The register is one type of pointer configuration to be used to access the reference data structure, which is used to resolve a symbol associated with a function of a program. An indication is obtained as to whether the register has been initialized with a reference data structure pointer. Based on obtaining the indication, a stub is generated that is to be used to access the function. The generating depends on whether the register has been initialized. If the register has not been initialized, then the stub is generated to include another type of pointer configuration to be used to access the reference data structure.

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: 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: Portions of configuration state registers in-memory. An instruction is obtained, and a determination is made that the instruction accesses a configuration state register. A portion of the configuration state register is in-memory and another portion of the configuration state register is in-processor. Processing associated with the configuration state register is performed. The performing processing is based on a type of access and whether the portion or the other portion is being accessed.

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: Table of contents (TOC) pointer cache entry having a pointer for a range of addresses. An address of a called routine and a pointer value of a pointer to a reference data structure to be entered into a reference data structure pointer cache are obtained. The reference data structure pointer cache includes a plurality of entries, and an entry of the plurality of entries includes a stored pointer value for an address range. A determination is made, based on the pointer value, whether an existing entry exists in the reference data structure pointer cache for the pointer value. Based on determining the existing entry exists, one of an address_from field of the existing entry or an address_to field of the existing entry is updated using the address of the called routine. The stored pointer value of the existing entry is usable to access the reference data structure for the address range defined by the address_from field and the address_to field.

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: Table of contents (TOC) pointer cache entry having a pointer for a range of addresses. An address of a called routine and a pointer value of a pointer to a reference data structure to be entered into a reference data structure pointer cache are obtained. The reference data structure pointer cache includes a plurality of entries, and an entry of the plurality of entries includes a stored pointer value for an address range. A determination is made, based on the pointer value, whether an existing entry exists in the reference data structure pointer cache for the pointer value. Based on determining the existing entry exists, one of an address_from field of the existing entry or an address_to field of the existing entry is updated using the address of the called routine. The stored pointer value of the existing entry is usable to access the reference data structure for the address range defined by the address_from field and the address_to field.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for prioritizing prefetch instructions. The method includes a processor issuing a prefetch instruction and fetching elements from a cache that can include a memory or a higher level cache. The processor stores the elements in temporary storage and monitors for accesses by an instruction. The processor stores a record representing the prefetch instruction. The processor updates the record with an indicator and issues a new prefetch instruction by comparing the new prefetch instruction to the record, based on the new prefetch instruction matching the prefetch instruction, assigning the indicator to the new prefetch instruction as a priority value, based on the new prefetch instruction not matching the prefetch instruction, assigning a default value to the new prefetch instruction as the priority value, and determining whether to execute the new prefetch instruction, based on the priority value of the new prefetch instruction.

Abstract: In a branch predictor in a processor capable of executing transactional memory transactions, the branch predictor speculatively predicts the outcome of branch instructions, such as taken/not-taken, the target address and the target instruction. Branch prediction information is buffered during a transaction and is only loaded into the branch predictor when the transaction is completed. The branch prediction information is discarded if the transaction aborts.

Abstract: A machine instruction to find a condition location within registers, such as vector registers. The machine instruction has associated therewith a register to be examined and a result location. The register includes a plurality of elements. In execution, the machine instruction counts a number of contiguous elements of the plurality of elements of the register having a particular value in a selected location within the contiguous elements. Other locations within the contiguous elements are ignored for the counting. The counting provides a count placed in the result location.

Abstract: A machine instruction to find a condition location within registers, such as vector registers. The machine instruction has associated therewith a register to be examined and a result location. The register includes a plurality of elements. In execution, the machine instruction counts a number of contiguous elements of the plurality of elements of the register having a particular value in a selected location within the contiguous elements. Other locations within the contiguous elements are ignored for the counting. The counting provides a count placed in the result location.

Abstract: A reload multiple instruction is used to restore a set of architected registers saved by a spill multiple instruction. The reload multiple instruction is executed, and the executing includes determining the set of architected registers to be restored, which is specified by the reload multiple instruction. The set of architected registers is restored from a selected snapshot that maps architected registers to physical registers. The restoring replaces one or more physical registers currently assigned to one or more architected registers of the set of architected registers with one or more physical registers of the selected snapshot corresponding to the set of architected registers.

Abstract: A query is performed to obtain cache residency and/or other information regarding selected data. The data to be queried is data of a cache line, prefetched or otherwise. The capability includes a Query Cache instruction that obtains cache residency information and/or other information and returns an indication of the requested information.