Method of processing conditional branch instructions in scalar/vector processor

In a scalar/vector processor having an instruction cache and including instruction fetch means, a program counter, and instruction decode/issue means coupled to the instruction cache by means of an instruction pipeline, a method of maintaining the instruction pipeline to minimize the gaps in an instruction stream in the pipeline when issuing and executing conditional branch instructions, the method comprising the steps of:

• rating each of at least ones of the conditional branch instructions as likely conditional branch instructions or unlikely conditional branch instructions based on a probability that branch conditions corresponding to each of the at least selected ones of the conditional branch instructions will be met and a corresponding branch taken;
• determining a number of pipeline clock periods required for testing the corresponding branch conditions;
• issuing and executing the likely conditional branch instructions including the step of transferring a branch-to-address to the program counter during said number of pipeline clock periods irrespective of a successful meeting of the corresponding branch conditions;
• issuing into the instruction pipeline following the likely conditional branch instructions a number of original instructions sufficient to issue within said number of pipeline clock periods, wherein the number of original instructions is at least two;
• and
• canceling a conditional branch instruction and returning to an instruction which would have followed the conditional branch instruction if the corresponding branch is not taken, wherein no gap occurs in the instruction stream if the corresponding branch is successfully taken.