Computer cache memory with classes and dynamic selection of replacement algorithms

Abstract

A cache memory system for a computer. Target entries for the cache memory include a class attribute. The cache may use a different replacement algorithm for each possible class attribute value. The cache may be partitioned into sections based on class attributes. Class attributes may indicate a relative likelihood of future use. Alternatively, class attributes may be used for locking. In one embodiment, each cache section is dedicated to one corresponding class. In alternative embodiments, cache classes are ranked in a hierarchy, and target entries having higher ranked attributes may be entered into cache sections corresponding to lower ranked attributes. With each of the embodiments, entries with a low likelihood of future use or low temporal locality are less likely to flush entries from the cache that have a higher likelihood of future use.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.