An apparatus and method for performing operations on capability metadata

A method of performing operations on capability metadata, comprising:

• storing data blocks in storage elements, each data block having capability metadata associated therewith identifying whether said data block specifies a capability, at least one capability type being a bounded pointer;
• and
• responsive to a bulk capability metadata operation identifying a plurality of said storage elements, causing processing circuitry to perform an operation on the capability metadata associated with each data block stored in said plurality of storage elements.

An apparatus, comprising:

• storage element means for storing data blocks, each data block having capability metadata associated therewith identifying whether said data block specifies a capability, at least one capability type being a bounded pointer;
• and
• processing means for performing, responsive to a bulk capability metadata operation identifying a plurality of said storage element means, an operation on the capability metadata associated with each data block stored in said plurality of storage element means.