Methods, cache memories, systems and computer program products for storing transient, normal, and locked entries in an associative cache memory

摘要

Ways of a cache memory system are designated as being in one of three subsets: a normal subset, a transient subset, and a locked subset. The designation of the respective subsets is provided by a normal subset floor index, a transient subset floor index, and a transient subset ceiling index. The respective indexes are used to select the subset into which new entries are copied from main memory as a result of a cache miss. If the new entry is designated as being characterized by normal program behavior, it is copied into the normal subset in the cache. If the new entry is designated as being characterized by transient program behavior, it is copied into the transient subset in the cache. The relationship between the normal subset and the transient subset is programmable. For example, the normal and the transient subsets may include at least one common way of the cache memory or the transient subset may be completely included in the normal subset or completely separate therefrom.