Shared execution unit in a dual core processor

A method of operating a processor, comprising:

• executing a first instruction in an execution unit of a first core of a dual core processor if the first instruction is of a first type;
• executing a second instruction in an execution unit of a second core of the dual core processor if the second instruction is of the first type;
• and
• executing the first and second instructions in matching execution pipelines within a shared execution unit of the dual core processor if the instructions are of a second type.

A data processing system including system memory, hard disk, keyboard, mouse, and display, the system comprising:

• first and second processor cores, each core including an execution unit suitable for processing data if the data is of a first type;
• means for distinguishing between data of the first type and data of a second type;
• a shared execution unit suitable for processing data of the second type wherein the shared execution unit includes a matching pair of execution pipes;
• and
• means for forwarding data of the second type to the shared execution unit.