Maximizing encodings of version control bits for memory corruption detection

A method for a computing system, the method comprising:

• partitioning a memory into a plurality of regions;
• determining a reserved set of one or more version numbers for each one of the plurality of regions;
• and
• determining an available set of one or more version numbers for each one of the plurality of regions, wherein an available set for a given region comprises version numbers not included in a reserved set for the given region;
• generating a first address to identify a memory location in a first region of the plurality of regions, wherein the first address comprises a first version number;
• and
• detecting an error responsive to determining the version number is in a reserved set of version numbers for the first region.

A processor comprising:

• an instruction fetch unit configured to fetch instructions from a physical memory comprising a plurality of regions;
• a decoder coupled to the instruction fetch unit;
• an execution unit;
• and
• a load-store unit;
• wherein the decoder is configured to determine a received instruction is a memory access instruction corresponding to a first region of the plurality of regions;
• wherein the execution unit is configure to generate a first address to identify a memory location in the first region, wherein the first address comprises a first version number;
• and
• wherein the load-store unit is configured to:
• generate a first address to identify a memory location in a first region of the plurality of regions, wherein the first address comprises a first version number;
• and
• detect an error responsive to determining the version number is in a reserved set of version numbers for the first region.