Secondary trace build from a cache of translations in a caching dynamic translator

A dynamic translator for growing a secondary trace out of cache translations for a program during the program's execution in a dynamic translator, comprising:

• (A) first logic maintaining execution counts for translation heads that are executed from a code cache;
• (B) second logic for, when an execution count for one of said translation heads exceeds a threshold, designated as a hot translation head, beginning a mode of operation in which, as following code translations are executed from the code cache after the execution of the hot translation head, storing in a history buffer information identifying each of said following code translations in sequence;
• (C) third logic for terminating the storing of information in the history buffer in relation to the hot translation head when a termination condition is met;
• and
• (D) fourth logic for linking together the translation head and the sequence of following code translations identified in the history buffer to form a larger code translation.

A computer program product, comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for growing a secondary trace out of cache translations for a program during the program's execution in a dynamic translator comprising:
• (A) first code maintaining execution counts for translation heads that are executed from a code cache;
• (B) second code for, when an execution count for one of said translation heads exceeds a threshold, designated as a hot translation head, beginning a mode of operation in which, as following code translations are executed from the code cache following the execution of the hot translation head, storing in a history buffer information identifying each of said following code translations in sequence;
• (C) third code for terminating the storing of information in the history buffer in relation to the hot translation head when a termination condition is met;
• and
• (D) fourth code for linking together the translation head and the sequence of following code translations identified in the history buffer to form a larger code translation.