Microsoft Corporation
Recording a trace of code execution using reserved cache lines in a cache

Abstract:

Recording a trace of code execution using reserved cache lines in a cache. A computing device comprises processing units and a cache. The cache includes a first plurality of cache lines that each comprise an address portion for storing a memory address within the memory device, and a value portion for storing a value associated with the memory address. The cache also includes a second plurality of reserved cache lines that store a plurality of sets of accounting bits. Each set of accounting bits comprises a plurality of accounting bits and is associated with a different cache line in the first cache lines. Each cache line in the second cache lines stores multiple of the sets of accounting bits. Stored control logic uses the plurality of sets of accounting bits in the second cache lines to track trace logging information for the first cache lines.