Value prediction

A method, comprising

• storing a plurality of value prediction entries in value prediction storage, each value prediction entry providing a data value prediction associated with a corresponding instruction;
• providing a value prediction blocklist identifying one or more blocked instructions;
• controlling whether to allocate a given value prediction entry associated with a given instruction to the value prediction storage in dependence on whether the given instruction is identified as a blocked instruction by the value prediction blocklist;
• and
• determining whether to add a target instruction to the value prediction blocklist in dependence on an allocation count indicating a number of times a value prediction entry associated with the target instruction has been allocated to the value prediction storage.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable code for fabrication of an apparatus comprising:

• value prediction storage comprising a plurality of value prediction entries, each value prediction entry providing a data value prediction associated with a corresponding instruction;
• a value prediction blocklist identifying one or more blocked instructions;
• value prediction allocation circuitry configured to control whether to allocate a given value prediction entry associated with a given instruction to the value prediction storage in dependence on whether the given instruction is identified as a blocked instruction by the value prediction blocklist;
• and
• blocklist allocation circuitry configured to determine whether to add a target instruction to the value prediction blocklist in dependence on an allocation count indicating a number of times a value prediction entry associated with the target instruction has been allocated to the value prediction storage.