Method and apparatus for generating boundary markers for an instruction stream including variable-length instructions

A method of generating boundary markers for an instruction stream including variable-length instructions, the method including:

• generating M sets of potential boundary markers for each of M assumptions regarding a position of a boundary byte within a set of N bytes;
• identifying one of the M assumptions as being valid;
• and
• selecting a set of boundary markers generated for the assumption identified as being valid boundary markers for the set of N bytes.

Logic for generating boundary markers for an instruction stream including variable-length instructions, the logic comprising:

• marking logic to generate a plurality of sets of potential boundary markers for a predetermined set of bytes within the instruction stream, each set of potential boundary markers being generated based on a respective assumption regarding a boundary byte position within the predetermined set of bytes;
• and
• selection logic to select a set of boundary markers, from the plurality of sets of potential boundary markers, as a valid set of boundary markers,
• wherein the marking logic is to generate the plurality of sets of boundary markers prior to a determination as to validity of assumptions regarding the boundary byte position within the predetermined set of bytes.

Logic for generating boundary markers for an instruction stream including variable-length instructions, the logic comprising:

• first means for generating a plurality of sets of potential boundary markers for a predetermined set of bytes within the instruction stream, each set of potential boundary markers being generated based on a respective assumption regarding a boundary byte position within the predetermined set of bytes;
• and
• second means for selecting a set of boundary markers, from the plurality of sets of potential boundary markers, as a valid set of boundary markers,
• wherein the first means is for generating the plurality of sets of boundary markers prior to a determination as to validity of assumptions regarding the boundary byte position within the predetermined set of bytes.