Abstract: Systems and methods for sanitizing physical storage in cloud computing and virtual environments. When logical storage is decommissioned in a virtual environment, the underlying physical storage is logically disassociated. However, the underlying physical data blocks remain intact until they are overwritten. Since there is no control over when, or even if, the physical data is ever overwritten, the remaining data is susceptible to compromise. The present disclosure provides a secure erase application that securely erases physical storage associated with to-be deleted resources, such as virtual data stores, virtual images, snapshots and raw virtual disks.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a storage device utilizing laptop storage drives and rackmount server adapted to use the same. The storage device includes a body and drive software. The drive and internal portions of the body are adapted to form contact fits. The software of the storage device provides an electronic interface that permits operations of advantageous RAID configurations.

Abstract: Extent migration is provided in a data storage environment configured for synchronous replication between a primary and secondary pair of storage entities, each having tiered storage devices. In one embodiment, by way of example only, a migration instruction is sent, by the primary storage entity, to the secondary storage entity, the migration instruction including a time delta approximately equal to a time of an intended migration at the primary storage entity such that the primary and secondary storage entities conduct the extent migration at approximately a same time. A relative priority is used against a secondary ordered heat map of the tiered storage devices of the secondary storage entity to perform the extent migration, regardless of whether the primary and secondary storage entities are identical.

Abstract: A memory erasing method and a memory controller and a memory storage apparatus using the same are provided. The method comprising establishing a link list according to a plurality of physical blocks of a spare area, and storing the link list into the rewritable non-volatile memory module, wherein the physical blocks of the spare area are recorded in the link list according to an arrangement order; and during every power on of the memory storage apparatus, selecting a plurality of third physical blocks among the physical blocks in the spare area according to the link list and a predetermined number, and respectively executing an erase command on the third physical blocks, wherein the third physical blocks are arranged at a beginning of the link list, and the number of the third physical blocks is the predetermined number.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for selecting first data sets in a first storage group to swap with second data sets in a second storage group. First data sets are stored in a first storage group and second data sets are stored in a second storage group. A determination is made for a value for each of at least one of the first data sets based on at least one priority of at least one job processing I/O activity at the first data set. At least one of the first data sets for which the value was determined is selected to migrate to the second storage group based on the value.

Abstract: Technologies are described for implementing a migration mechanism in a storage system containing multiple tiers of storage with each tier having different cost and performance parameters. Access statistics can be collected for each territory, or storage entity, within the storage system. Data that is accessed more frequently can be migrated toward higher performance storage tiers while data that is accessed less frequently can be migrated towards lower performance storage tiers. The placement of data may be governed first by the promotion of territories with higher access frequency to higher tiers. Secondly, data migration may be governed by demoting territories to lower tiers to create room for the promotion of more eligible territories from the next lower tier. In instances where space is not available on the next lower tier, further demotion may take place to an even lower tier in order to make space for the first demotion.

Abstract: A method of data progression in a data storage system having at least two tiers of storage space. A first tier may include storage space in a SLC SSD and a second tier may include storage space in a MLC SSD. The method may include setting a predetermined free space threshold for the first tier of storage space, monitoring free space in the first tier of storage space, and when the amount of available free space in the first tier of storage space decreases to the predetermined free space threshold, generating an on-demand snapshot of at least a portion of the data of the first tier of storage space by designating that data as read-only. The on-demand snapshot may then be transferred to the second tier of storage space, thereby freeing the corresponding portion of data of the first tier of storage space for new writes.

Abstract: Providing command queuing in embedded memories is provided. In particular, aspects disclosed herein relate to a process through which a status of the queue is communicated to a host from a device. Aspects of the present disclosure use the command structure of the embedded Multi-Media Card (eMMC) standard, such that the host may determine a state of the queue in the device proximate a known end of an in-progress data transfer. In this manner, the host can select a task to commence after completion of a current data transfer while the current data transfer is still ongoing.

Abstract: An information processing system comprises a centralized database and at least one processing device implementing a selection algorithm for automated provisioning and management of a plurality of storage arrays based on information collected from the storage arrays and stored in the centralized database. The information stored in the centralized database may comprise at least one of storage utilization, performance, network bandwidth and end of service for each of the storage arrays. The selection algorithm is configured to determine optimal placement of data across the storage arrays based on the information stored in the centralized database. For example, the selection algorithm may be configured to determine one or more locations within the plurality of storage arrays to allocate as new storage responsive to a provisioning request.

Abstract: A method of incorporating active error correction inside a memory device is used, whereby memory scrub cycles can be completely hidden from an end user. The method simplifies the design of the memory interface and simplifies the data integrity management unit for the end user. An arbitration unit is implemented to allow concurrent processing of primary (user) and secondary (scrub) requests. The arbitration unit is location aware in context to the primary interface and is responsible for eliminating overlapping memory requests.

Abstract: A print data processing apparatus includes the following elements. A spot color memory stores a spot color element. A flattening section performs, when a new image element is input in accordance with a rendering order, flattening processing for separating the new image element into a basic color element having only a basic color component and a spot color element having only a spot color component, for updating a configuration of each spot color element stored in the spot color memory to a configuration from which a portion hidden by a configuration of a newly separated spot color element is removed, and for storing the new spot color element in the spot color memory. An output section outputs, when spot color elements obtained by separating all image elements included in each unit of output are stored in the spot color memory, the spot color elements stored in the spot color memory.

Abstract: A disclosed managing apparatus and image forming apparatus management system ensure confidentiality of information in an image forming apparatus while usability is maintained. An image forming apparatus acquires IC card identifying information with an IC card reader. A management server acquires a user ID associated with the acquired IC card identifying information and use limit information concerning use of the image forming apparatus. A process is performed in the image forming apparatus in accordance with the use limit information.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may include a network interface, an image-capture unit, a printing unit, and a processor configured to execute instructions. The instructions may include causing the image-capture unit to capture a representation of a graphical code displayed on a mobile computing device. The graphical code may be associated with print data. The instructions may also include causing the image forming apparatus to send via the network interface to the server a request for print data. The request may include the captured representation of the graphical code. The instructions may further comprise receiving, from the server via the network interface, the print data associated with the graphical code. Additionally, the instructions may include printing, via the printing unit, the received print data.

Abstract: A printing system includes plural image forming apparatuses and a host apparatus. Each image forming apparatus is configured to work in one of a waiting state and a power saving state. An image forming apparatus as a sub-unit includes a control section configured to, on changing from the waiting state to the power saving state, request another image forming apparatus connected to the wired network to make a proxy response to the host apparatus for the sub-unit. An image forming apparatus as a base unit includes a control section configured to, in response to receiving a request to make the proxy response, receive a packet sent from the host apparatus to the sub-unit through the wireless network, and on determining that a communication error has occurred, instruct another image forming apparatus connected to the wired network to receive a packet sent from the host apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of optimizing the operating conditions for printing sheets, comprising the following steps: introducing a sheet into the printing system; treating the sheet by exposing the sheet to a physical operating condition of the printing system at a predetermined level; sensing a surface geometry of the exposed sheet to generate data representing a height map of the surface of the at least one exposed sheet for that predetermined level of that operating condition; and comparing the data to one another and/or a reference value to determine the suitable level of the least one physical operating condition. The invention further provides an apparatus optimizing the operating conditions for printing sheets.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing apparatus and a control apparatus. The printing apparatus obtains first attribute information about a sheet stored in a first sheet holding unit of the printing apparatus, and sends the information to the control apparatus. The control apparatus determines a combination of the first and second attribute information about the sheet and selects at least the first and a second sheet holding units. The control apparatus stores the combination in association with the selected first and second sheet holding units where a user instruction is accepted. The control apparatus obtains the second attribute information based on the received first attribute information, and sends the second attribute information to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus sets the received second attribute information as attribute information about the sheet stored in the first sheet holding unit.

Abstract: Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for printer driver management in an enterprise network. Each requested printer driver is tested in a controlled environment to determine if the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers. The tested printer driver is conditioned for inclusion in a central repository that stores a plurality of sets of versioned drivers, if the printer driver is determined to be compatible. The tested driver and at least one associated file are packaged and stored in the central repository. The tested driver and associated file are deployed to at least one server hosting a distributed file share. The tested driver and associated file are downloaded to at least one print server. Driver files are touched with a date and time stamp so that workstations will automatically download updated printer drivers from the print server.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a display control unit configured to display data in an area formed in a display unit connected to the information processing device, a display data acquiring unit configured to acquire the display data displayed in an operation reception area or an entire area, which is a target of receiving an operation by a user, an area forming unit configured to form a render reception area so as to be superposed on the operation reception area, a render receiving unit configured to receive rendering with respect to the render reception area, a render data acquiring unit configured to acquire render data rendered in the render reception area, a render data combining unit configured to combine the display data with the render data, and a data sending unit configured to send, to a terminal, the display data with which the render data has been combined.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a first display unit configured to display a first screen image; an interface unit configured to be connected to an external display device having a second display unit; and a controller configured to interface with the external display device to display a monitor window including a second screen image corresponding to the first screen image on the external display device, and to control the monitor window to be enlarged on the second display unit when the first screen image is zoomed in on the first display unit.

Abstract: A method is carried out by a receiving and playing device (10), for receiving and playing a media stream. The method includes a first playing procedure (s12), a playing mode switching procedure (s14), and a second playing procedure (s16). The first playing procedure (s12) includes receiving a media stream through a communication medium or network (30) and playing the received media stream. The playing mode switching procedure (s14) includes determining (s142) whether a media content about to be received or being received is locally stored and, if so, switching to the second playing procedure (s16). The second playing procedure (s16) includes playing the media content based on at least the locally stored media content. The invention also relates to methods carried out by a transmitting device (20), to receiving and playing devices (10), to transmitting devices (20), and to computer programs.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. An example implementation involves receiving, from a microphone of the controller device, an audio signal played by a playback device, the audio signal indicating network information corresponding to the playback device. The example implementation further involves identifying the playback device based on the network information and responsively, modifying a user interface on the controller device based on the identification of the playback device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which includes a voice input receiver configured to receive a voice input of user, a signal processor configured to recognize and process the received voice input received through the voice input receiver, a buffer configured to store the voice input, and a controller configured to determine whether a voice recognition function of the signal processor is activated and control the signal processor to recognize the voice input stored in the buffer in response to the voice recognition function being determined to be activated. The controller is further configured to store the received voice input in the buffer in response to the received voice input being input through the voice input receiver while the voice recognition function is not activated, so that the received voice input is recognized by the signal processor when the voice recognition function is activated.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method are provided for performing a shift function on a binary number. The apparatus comprises count determination circuitry for determining a number of contiguous bit positions in the binary number that have a predetermined bit value, the count determination circuitry outputting a count value indicative of the number of contiguous bit positions determined. In parallel with the operation of the count determination circuitry, coarse shifting circuitry is used to determine, for at least one predetermined number of contiguous bit positions, whether that predetermined number of contiguous bit positions within the binary number has said predetermined bit value. An initial shift operation is then performed on the binary number based on that determination in order to produce an intermediate binary number.

Abstract: Provided is an arithmetic processing apparatus and an arithmetic processing method which can perform block floating point processing with small circuit scale and high precision. A first normalization circuit (120) performs a first normalization, in which a plurality pieces of data, which have a common exponent and which are either fixed-point number representation data or mantissa portion data of block floating-point number representation, are inputted in each of a plurality of cycles and the plurality of pieces of data inputted in each of the plurality of cycles are respectively normalized with the common exponent on the basis of a maximum exponent for the plurality of pieces of data inputted in a corresponding one of the plurality of cycle. A rounding circuit (130) outputs a plurality of pieces of rounded data which are obtained by reducing a bit width of respective one of the plurality of pieces of data on which the first normalization is performed.

Abstract: A fused-multiply-add system is disclosed. The fused-multiply-add system includes a multiplier to multiply first and second operands and to provide at least one product. The fused-multiply-add system also includes an alignment shifter for aligning a third operand with the at least one product to provide an aligned third operand. The fused-multiply-add system also includes an adder and a subtractor coupled to the multiplier and the alignment shifter for performing two asymmetrical additions in parallel paths. The fused-multiply-add system also includes at least one leading zero counter for counting a number of leading zero bits provided by at least one of the adder and the subtractor to provide at least one normalization shift amount. Finally, the fused-multiply-add system includes a multiplexer coupled to the adder and the subtractor for providing an appropriate output based upon a sign bit.

Abstract: A high-power-efficiency multiplier combines a standard floating-point multiplier with a power-of-two multiplier that performs multiplications by shifting operations without the need for floating-point multiplication circuitry. By selectively steering some operands to this power-of-two multiplier, substantial power savings may be realized. In one embodiment, multiplicands may be modified to work with the power-of-two multiplier introducing low errors that may be accommodated in pixel calculations.

Abstract: A single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) multiplier-accumulator apparatus and method. A multiplier block with two 16-bit by 32-bit multiplier circuits transform a selectable number of input multipliers and multiplicands into a selected number of products. Each multiplier circuit comprises an array of full adders that generates and sums partial products using carry-save addition. An accumulator block, with additional data width to help prevent overflow, adds the products to a selectable number of input addends and outputs a number of results. Embodiments perform one to four multiplications together, depending on the number of bits (eight, 16, 24, or 32) selected for the input operands. Embodiments output 20-bit, 40-bit, or 80-bit multiply-accumulate results at rates of at least 1.1 GHz. Embodiments support signed inputs, negated multiplication products, and Q-format data. A hybrid sign extension management approach improves performance for 80-bit outputs.

Abstract: A dynamically evolving cognitive architecture system based on third-party developers is described. A system forms an intent based on a user input, and creates a plan based on the intent. The plan includes a first action object that transforms a first concept object associated with the intent into a second concept object and also includes a second action object that transforms the second concept object into a third concept object associated with a goal of the intent. The first action object and the second action object are selected from multiple action objects. The system executes the plan, and outputs a value associated with the third concept object.

Abstract: A system integrator for modeling an object instance of a COBOL data set, the object instance including representations of OCCURS DEPENDING ON clauses or REDEFINE clauses. The system comprises a client interface module, an import module, an object model module and modeler module. The client interface module generates an interface and receives a copybook selection and a set of REDEFINE criteria. The import module receives the copybook selection and imports a copybook from a database. The object model module receives the copybook and the set of REDEFINE criteria, and creates a customized object model for the copybook. The modeler module receives the customized object model and a set of COBOL data, and forms an object instance equivalent to the set of COBOL data, the object instance including representations of a OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause or REDEFINE clause.

Abstract: Flowchart generation method and tool is provided with an easy-to-use graphical user interface. The graphical user interface of the tool enables a user to select a programming language which the test program was written in, and a test station which the test program was developed for. Upon these selections, a parser will point to the configuration files appropriate for the selected language and test station. The configuration files contain rules and definitions of the chosen programming language and test station, so that the parsing of the test program language can begin. Utilizing the data created from the parsing process, the tool points to other configuration files, referred to as a flowcharting configuration file, that each contain information on how to present the parsed data in a flow chart.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to code recommendation. In one embodiment, code snippets may be extracted using an invocation-centered code slicing process and then grouped according to the method usages. For each method usage, a representative code snippet may be selected and stored in the knowledge base in association with metadata. In operation, the programming context may be obtained and used to query the knowledge base to retrieve one or more code snippets for recommendation. In one embodiment, the recommended code snippets may be ranked to improve the utility and user friendliness, and the metadata may be used to provide variation points and possibly other auxiliary information to improve the operation efficiency and user experience.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system to generate final code for execution in a runtime environment, the method including creation, via a compiler, of intermediate code from destination source code, wherein the destination source code has been compiled from original source code which includes at least one jump instruction, by omitting the at least one jump instruction, the destination source code existing in a destination programming language and the original source code in a source programming language, loading the intermediate code into an intermediate code manipulation unit, and creation, via the intermediate code manipulation unit, of the final code from the intermediate code, wherein the creation comprises an insertion of at least one jump statement into the final code, and wherein the inserted at least one jump statement is functionally equivalent to the at least one omitted jump instruction.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating adjusting computer code running in computing environments where writing of executable memory is restricted. An example method includes using a virtual machine to generate a first executable image from software code, and employing the first executable image to selectively modify the virtual machine and the first executable image, resulting in an updated virtual machine and a second executable image. The second executable image represents an updated version of the first executable image. To transform dynamic code, such as natively produced computer code, into one or more executable images for running on constrained devices, embodiments may leverage existing dynamic code generators (e.g., within Java HotSpot Performance Engine, also simply called HotSpot), selectively modifying them to generate different, i.e.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient and consistent validation/conflict detection in a Software Transactional Memory (STM) system is herein described. A version check barrier is inserted after a load to compare versions of loaded values before and after the load. In addition, a global timestamp (GTS) is utilized to track a latest committed transaction. Each transaction is associated with a local timestamp (LTS) initialized to the GTS value at the start of a transaction. As a transaction commits it updates the GTS to a new value and sets versions of modified locations to the new value. Pending transactions compare versions determined in read barriers to their LTS. If the version is greater than their LTS indicating another transaction has committed after the pending transaction started and initialized the LTS, then the pending transaction validates its read set to maintain efficient and consistent transactional execution.

Abstract: Modular co-versioning may involve the creation of multi-version libraries that may include multiple versions of a class. A multi-version library may include a base version and one or more other versions each of which may correspond to a particular, respective version of a software development kit, runtime environment or software platform, according to various embodiments. At runtime, a multi-version library may be searched in order to load a version of a class that corresponds to the version of the currently executing runtime environment. If the multi-version library does not include a version of the class corresponding to the currently executing version of the environment/platform, a version of the class corresponding to a previous version of the environment may be loaded if found in the multi-version library. Alternatively, if no other version of the class is found, a base version of the class may be loaded from the multi-version library.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cloud infrastructure-based management system and method for maintenance deployment of an application system. A cloud infrastructure-based method for maintenance and deployment of an application system, comprising: obtaining a scheduling deployment policy of an application; obtaining performance of an application instance or task processing state data of the application instance; and performing application scheduling deployment according to the scheduling deployment policy of the application and the performance of the application instance or the task processing state data of the application instance, generating a deployment instruction for the application instance, and completing deployment configuration of the application instance, wherein the deployment instruction comprises an application attribute and a range of attribute values.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus stores a saving instruction for a script and data containing its identification information in a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage, in the case where the image forming apparatus detects that the script and the data required for software installation corresponding to itself does not exist in the USB storage when the USB storage is connected. A computer acquires a script and data corresponding to identification information of an image forming apparatus contained in a saving instruction, and saves them to the USB storage, in the case where the computer detects that the saving instruction exists in the USB storage when the USB storage is connected. The image forming apparatus then executes software installation using the script and the data contained in the USB storage, when this USB storage containing the saved script and data corresponding to the image forming apparatus is connected.

Abstract: Surfacing visual representations of universal applications is described. In one or more implementations, visual representations of universal applications purchased or installed on other devices associated with a user account are surfaced in an application launcher interface on a current computing device. The visual representations are selectable (e.g., with a single click or tap) to install the universal application on the current computing device. This enables the user to quickly and easily install universal applications already purchased on other devices onto a current device without having to perform any additional action, such as navigating away from the application launcher interface to enter payment information. In one or more implementations, the visual representations of the universal applications are surfaced under a “recently added” section and/or an “on other devices” section of the application launcher to enable the universal applications to be easily located by the user.

Abstract: A server computing system receives a request to instantiate a virtual machine in a cloud. The request is associated with a template that specifies the operating system and software packages to be installed on the virtual machine. The system splits the installation of the virtual machine into creating a minimal operating system installation, customizing the minimal installation, and generating a disk image of the customized minimal installation. The system creates a minimal installation of the specified operating system, executes the minimal operating system in a virtual machine guest, and customizes the minimal installation of the operating system as specified in the template. The system generates a virtual machine disk image of the customized minimal installation that is a cloud generic virtual machine disk image an is configurable to instantiate the virtual machine in clouds provided by different cloud providers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for supporting access to multiple copies of a legacy task are provided. When there are multiple copies of a task present, then instead of showing the output from a single task, the task workspace area displays task representation pictograms that represent the state and inform the user regarding each particular instance of that legacy task running on the host. The user can use the interface to perform various operations, including to start a new copy of the task, to end a copy of the task, and to select one of the copies for viewing. Example embodiments provide a Role-Based Modernization System (“RBMS”), which uses these enhanced modernization techniques to provide role-based modernization of menu-based legacy applications.

Abstract: A technology/operating system-agnostic and protocol-agnostic modular-based service delivery system that includes a management of enterprise-wide deployment of services and updates to services delivered by the modules of the system. Management includes determination and automatic implementation of an optimal schedule for service deployment, service version updates and service version roll-backs based on (i) predetermined lifecycle levels assigned to networked devices in the enterprise executing the service delivery application, and/or (ii) segments within the enterprise.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which is capable of, when in software updating, a need to perform an additional update arises in addition to regular updates, efficiently performing the updates. First time information indicative of a first time at which update firmware is obtained from an external server is applied is set, and second time information indicative of a second time at which the update firmware obtained from the external server is applied to the information processing apparatus is set. When update firmware is obtained based on the first time information, the update firmware is applied to the information processing apparatus at the second time indicated by the second time information. When a need to perform an additional update of firmware arises, additional update firmware relating to the additional update is applied to the information processing apparatus earlier than the second time indicated by the second time information.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to autocomplete application lifecycle management (ALM) entities are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes obtaining an action associated with an ALM entity, and tracing an ALM repository starting with the ALM entity to automatically identify a connected set of entities and relationships that complete the action.

Abstract: A tool for automatic pre-detection of potential software product impact according to a statement placed in a software development system, and for automatically recommending for resolutions which accesses a repository of information containing a history of changes and effects of the changes for a software project; using a received a statement in natural language to perform a natural language search of the repository; according to the findings of the search of the repository, using a machine learning model to compose an impact prediction regarding the received statement relative to the findings; and automatically placing an advisory notice regarding to the impact prediction into the software development system, wherein the advisory notice is associated with the received statement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing multiple versions of applications executing on servers in a server pool are provided. A request to generate new session data for a transaction requested by a user is received by a first server executing a first version of an application. A determination is made that the first version of the application is unsuitable to process the request. An identity of a second server executing a second version of the application is requested by the first server in a server pool comprising one or more servers, and an appropriate second server is selected. The first server transmits a hypertext transfer protocol proxy request to the selected second server, which generates the new session data.

Abstract: Techniques for increasing vector processing utilization and efficiency through use of unmasked lanes of predicated vector instructions for executing non-conflicting instructions are provided. In one aspect, a method of vector lane predication for a processor is provided which includes the steps of: fetching predicated vector instructions from a memory; decoding the predicated vector instructions; determining if a mask value of the predicated vector instructions is available and, if the mask value of the predicated vector instructions is not available, predicting the mask value of the predicated vector instructions; and dispatching the predicated vector instructions to only masked vector lanes.

Abstract: A system provides complex branch execution hardware and a hardware-based Multiplexer (MUX) to multiplex a fetch address of a future branch and a preloaded branch fetch address to create an index hash value that is used to index a branch target prediction table for execution by a processor core, in order to reduce branch mis-prediction by preloading.

Abstract: Branch sequences for branch prediction performance test are generated by performing the following steps: (i) generating a branch node graph, by a branch node graph generator machine logic set, based, at least in part, upon a set of branch traces of a workload or benchmark code; (ii) generating a first assembly pattern file, for use with a first instruction set architecture (ISA)/microarchitecture set, by an assembly pattern generator machine logic set, based, at least in part, upon the branch node graph so as to mimic the control-flow pattern of the workload or benchmark code; and (iii) running the assembly pattern file on the first ISA/microarchitecture set to obtain first execution results.

Abstract: A pipelined run-to-completion processor can decode three instructions in three consecutive clock cycles, and can also execute the instructions in three consecutive clock cycles. The first instruction causes the ALU to generate a value which is then loaded due to execution of the first instruction into a register of a register file. The second instruction accesses the register and loads the value into predicate bits in a register file read stage. The predicate bits are loaded in the very next clock cycle following the clock cycle in which the second instruction was decoded. The third instruction is a conditional instruction that uses the values of the predicate bits as a predicate code to determine a predicate function. If a predicate condition (as determined by the predicate function as applied to flags) is true then an instruction operation of the third instruction is carried out, otherwise it is not carried out.