predecoding

The process of partially decoding machine instructions prior to their storage in the instruction cache, typically to identify instruction boundaries, classify instruction types, and facilitate faster or parallel decoding during execution.

Noun

  1. The process of partially decoding machine instructions prior to their storage in the instruction cache, typically to identify instruction boundaries, classify instruction types, and facilitate faster or parallel decoding during execution.
    • It owes its simplicity to the predecoding of the I/O (input/output) slot address already provided on the Apple's main circuit board. - 1985, Steve Ciarcia, Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar, revised edition, volume 5, Circuit...
    • Predecoding shifts a part of the decoding task up into the loading phase of the on-chip instruction cache (I-cache)... A dedicated unit called the predecoded unit executes partial decoding and joins several decode bits...
    • Predecoding enables reduction of decoding latency and an area-efficient layout. - 2024, John Reuben, Resistive RAM and Peripheral Circuitry: An Integrated Circuit Perspective, John Reuben, page 103:

Origin

From pre- + decoding.

Verb

  1. present participle and gerund of predecode