Apparatus and method for retrieving elements from a linked structure

A method comprising:

• decoding a first instruction, the first instruction to utilize a current address value, an end address value, and an offset value for identifying a next address pointer within an element structure, all of the current address value, the end address value, and the offset value are obtained based on the first instruction;
• and
• executing the first instruction to cause an execution unit to compare the current address value with the end address value;
• performing no additional operation with respect to the first instruction if the current address value is equal to the end address value;
• and
• if the current address value is not equal to the end address value, then adding the offset value to the current address value to identify the next address pointer, the execution unit to further set the current address value equal to the next address pointer.

A system comprising:

• a memory to store instructions and data, the instructions including a first instruction;
• a plurality of cores to execute the instructions and process the data;
• a graphics processor to perform graphics operations in response to graphics instructions;
• a network interface to receive and transmit data over a network;
• an interface for receiving user input from a mouse or cursor control device, the plurality of cores executing the instructions and processing the data responsive to the user input;
• at least one of the cores comprising:
• a decode unit to decode a first instruction, the first instruction to utilize a current address value, an end address value, and an offset value for identifying a next address pointer within an element structure, all of the current address value, the end address value, and the offset value are obtained based on the first instruction;
• and
• an execution unit to execute the first instruction to cause the execution unit to compare the current address value with the end address value, the execution unit to perform no additional operation with respect to the first instruction if the current address value is equal to the end address value;
• and
• if the current address value is not equal to the end address value, then the execution unit to add the offset value to the current address value to identify the next address pointer, the execution unit to further set the current address value equal to the next address pointer.