Dynamic branch hints using branches-to-nowhere conditional branch

A computer implemented method, comprising:

• predicting a branch target address of a conditional branch instruction based on the branch history table storing prior branch predictions, the conditional branch instruction to be executed by an execution pipeline of a processor;
• comparing the predicted branch target address with a resolved branch target address;
• and
• flushing the execution pipeline if the predicted branch target address does not match the resolved branch target address.

A data processing system, comprising:

• a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM);
• and
• a processor coupled to the DRAM, the processor including
• an execution pipeline having one or more execution units to execution the instructions, and
• a branch prediction unit coupled to the execution units, the branch prediction unit including
• a branch history table to store prior branch predictions,
• a branch predictor, in response to a conditional branch instruction, to predict a branch target address of the conditional branch instruction based on the branch history table, and
• address match logic to compare the predicted branch target address with an address of a next instruction executed immediately following the conditional branch instruction and to cause the execution pipeline to be flushed if the predicted branch target address does not match the address of the next instruction to be executed.