Control word prediction and varying recovery upon comparing actual to set of stored words

A method comprising:

• generating a predicted control word in response to a control word changing operation;
• executing a plurality of operations using the predicted control word;
• testing whether an actual control word matches said predicted control word or one of a plurality of other control words stored in a storage element;
• updating a prediction if the actual control word matches one of the plurality of other control words;
• and
• re-executing said plurality of operations if the predicted control word matches one of the plurality of other control words.

A processor comprising:

• a front end instruction decoder to decode a control word changing instruction;
• control word prediction logic to provide a predicted control word in response to said control word changing instruction;
• allocation logic to allocate register resources and to generate colors for instructions, said allocation logic to cause a color change for a plurality of instructions subsequent to said control word changing instruction;
• scheduling logic to schedule execution of said plurality of instructions subsequent to said control word changing instruction;
• execution logic coupled to said scheduling logic to speculatively execute said plurality of instructions subsequent to said control word changing instruction using said predicted control word;
• comparison logic to compare an actual control word to said predicted control word and to a plurality of control words, if said actual control word matches one of the plurality of control words, said comparison logic to signal said control word prediction logic and to trigger re-execution of said plurality of instructions subsequent to said control word changing instruction using said predicted control word.