Instructions to set and read memory version information

A method for a processor, the method comprising:

• receiving an instruction;
• determining the instruction is a memory access instruction corresponding to a first data structure of one or more data structures stored in a physical memory, each with an associated version number;
• and
• generating a pointer corresponding to a location within the first data structure, wherein bits used to form the pointer include both an address and a first version number associated with the first data structure;
• wherein the physical memory comprises a plurality of banks, and wherein the first data structure is stored in a first bank of the plurality of banks, and a second version number associated with the first data structure is stored in a spare bank corresponding to the first bank, wherein in response to said instruction, the method further comprises:
• accessing the second version number stored in the memory;
• comparing the first version number to the second version number;
• and detecting an error in response to determining the first version number does not match the second version number.

A processor comprising:

• an instruction fetch unit configured to fetch instructions from a memory subsystem comprising a physical memory, wherein the physical memory is configured to store one or more data structures, each with an associated version number;
• a decoder coupled to the instruction fetch unit;
• an execution unit;
• and wherein the decoder is configured to:
• receive an instruction;
• and determine the instruction is a memory access instruction corresponding to a first data structure of the one or more data structures;
• wherein the execution unit is configure to generate a pointer corresponding to a location within the first data structure, wherein bits used to form the pointer include both an address and a first version number associated with the first data structure;
• and wherein the physical memory comprises a plurality of banks, and wherein the first data structure is stored in a first bank of the plurality of banks, and a second version number associated with the first data structure is stored in a spare bank corresponding to the first bank, wherein in response to said instruction, the processor is further configured to:
• access the second version number stored in the memory;
• compare the first version number to the second version number;
• and detect an error in response to determining the first version number does not match the second version number.