Storage system and method for improved command flow

A storage system comprising:

• a memory;
• a command queue;
• a queue status register;
• and
• a processor in communication with the memory, the command queue, and the queue status register, wherein the processor is configured to:
• store a command received from a host in the command queue;
• process the command;
• store an indication in the queue status register that the command is ready for execution;
• receive a status request from the host;
• in response to receiving the status request from the host, provide the host with content of the queue status register, including an indication of command(s) stored in the storage system that are ready for execution;
• receive an instruction from the host to execute a command in the command queue that is ready for execution, wherein the command is one of a read command or a write command;
• and
• execute the command in direct response to receiving the instruction from the host to execute the command and, instead of providing the host with a separate instruction acknowledgement, provide the host with updated content of the queue status register including an updated indication of which other command(s) stored in the storage system are ready for execution and an indication of any errors in the execution of the command, the processor is further configured to provide the host with the updated indication of which of the other command(s) stored in the storage system are ready for execution and the indication of any errors in the execution of the command without receiving a separate status request from the host for the updated indication and without requiring a separate error indication communication.

A storage system comprising:

• means for receiving a status request from a host for an indication of which command(s) stored in the storage system are ready for execution;
• means for in response to the status request, providing the host with the indication of which command(s) stored in the storage system are ready for execution;
• means for receiving an instruction from the host to execute a command that is ready for execution, wherein the command is one of a read command or a write command;
• and
• means for executing the command in direct response to the instruction from the host to execute the command;
• and
• means for providing the host with an updated indication of which other command(s) stored in the storage system are ready for execution, instead of providing the host with a separate instruction acknowledgement, and an indication of any errors in the execution of the command, wherein the storage system provides the host with the updated indication of which of the other command(s) stored in the storage system are ready for execution and the indication of any errors in the execution of the command without receiving a separate status request from the host for the updated indication and without requiring a separate error indication communication.