A method of copying data from a first memory location and storing it in a cache line associated with a different memory location

摘要

A mechanism for copying data in memory is described which uses aliasing. In an embodiment, data is accessed from a first location (206) in a memory (208) and stored in a cache line (2040 associated with a second, different, location(212), in the memory. Preferably in response to a subsequent request for data from the second location in the memory, the cache returns the data stored in the cache line associated with the second location in the memory. Preferably the data stored in the cache line is written to the second memory location. The method may be implemented using additional hardware logic in the cache which is arranged to receive an aliasing request from a processor which identifies both the first and second locations in memory and triggers the accessing of data from the first location for storing in a cache lineassociated with the second location.