Vector register file with arbitrary vector addressing

A method for processing operations that use data vectors each comprising a plurality of data elements, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vector data file comprising a plurality of storage elements for storing data elements of the data vectors, and
• providing a pointer array having a plurality of entries, wherein each entry identifies at least one storage element in the vector data file for storing at least one data element of the data vectors, wherein for at least one particular entry in the pointer array, the at least one storage element identified by the particular entry has an arbitrary starting address in the vector data file;
• wherein, for any given entry in the pointer array, the at least one storage element identified by the any given entry has an arbitrary starting address in the vector data file.

A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for processing operations that use data vectors each comprising a plurality of data elements, the method steps comprising:

• providing a vector data file comprising a plurality of storage elements for storing data elements of the data vectors, and
• providing a pointer array having a plurality of entries, wherein each entry identifies at least one storage element in the vector data file for storing at least one data element of the data vectors, wherein for at least one particular entry in the pointer array, the at least one storage element identified by the particular entry has an arbitrary starting address in the vector data file;
• wherein, for any given entry in the pointer array, the at least one storage element identified by the any given entry has an arbitrary starting address in the vector data file.