DYNAMIC APPLICATION OF SOFTWARE DATA CACHING HINTS BASED ON CACHE TEST REGIONS

摘要

A processor [101] applies a software hint policy (111, 112) to a portion (118) of a cache based on access metrics for different test regions (115, 116) of the cache, wherein each test region applies a different software hint policy for data associated with cache entries in each region of the cache. One test region applies a software hint policy under which software hints are followed. The other test region applies a software hint policy under which software hints are ignored. One of the software hint policies is selected for application to a non-test region of the cache.