Multi-function permutation switch for rotating and manipulating an order of bits of an input data byte in either cyclic or non-cyclic mode

In a digital computer system executing, as primitive instructions, data processing instructions that require an order of bits in an output data byte to be rotated with respect to an order of bits in an input data byte and instructions that require such rotation in combination with additional manipulation of said input data byte, apparatus for rotating and manipulating an input data byte comprising:

• a multifunction permutation switch comprised of an interconnection network connecting n inputs with m outputs with any permutation of the n inputs capable of being connected to the m outputs, said permutation switch having a plurality of input bit lines equal in number to at least a number of bits in a data byte and a plurality of output data lines equal in number to at least said number of bits in said data byte;
• means, in response to said data processing instructions, for controlling said multifunction permutation switch in a cyclic mode of operation to connect bits on said input bit lines to said output bit lines so that the sequence of input bits is maintained on said output bit lines when said bits on said input lines are considered as arranged in a circle;
• and
• means, in response to said data processing instructions, for controlling said multifunction permutation switch in a non-cyclic mode of operation to connect bits on said input bit lines to said output bit lines to execute gather operations and spread operations.