Subject: Re: [PATCH V3 1/5] powerpc, perf: Add new BHRB related instructions for POWER8

From: Michael Ellerman <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:45:46 +1000

On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 11:13:43AM +1000, Michael Neuling wrote:
> Michael Ellerman <[email-masked]> wrote:
> 
> > On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 05:56:12PM +0530, Anshuman Khandual wrote:
> > > This patch adds new POWER8 instruction encoding for reading
> > > the BHRB buffer entries and also clearing it. Encoding for
> > > "clrbhrb" instruction is straight forward.
> > 
> > Which is "clear branch history rolling buffer" ?
> > 
> > > But "mfbhrbe"
> > > encoding involves reading a certain index of BHRB buffer
> > > into a particular GPR register.
> > 
> > And "Move from branch history rolling buffer entry" ?
> > 
> > > diff --git a/arch/powerpc/include/asm/ppc-opcode.h b/arch/powerpc/include/asm/ppc-opcode.h
> > > index 8752bc8..93ae5a1 100644
> > > --- a/arch/powerpc/include/asm/ppc-opcode.h
> > > +++ b/arch/powerpc/include/asm/ppc-opcode.h
> > > @@ -82,6 +82,7 @@
> > >  #define	__REGA0_R31	31
> > >  
> > >  /* sorted alphabetically */
> > > +#define PPC_INST_BHRBE			0x7c00025c
> > 
> > I don't think you really need this, just use the literal value below.
> 
> The rest of the defines in this file do this, so Anshuman's right. 

I don't see the point, but sure let's be consistent. Though in that case
he should do the same for PPC_CLRBHRB below.

> > > @@ -297,6 +298,12 @@
> > >  #define PPC_NAP			stringify_in_c(.long PPC_INST_NAP)
> > >  #define PPC_SLEEP		stringify_in_c(.long PPC_INST_SLEEP)
> > >  
> > > +/* BHRB instructions */
> > > +#define PPC_CLRBHRB		stringify_in_c(.long 0x7c00035c)
> > > +#define PPC_MFBHRBE(r, n)	stringify_in_c(.long PPC_INST_BHRBE | \
> > > +						__PPC_RS(r) | \
> > > +							(((n) & 0x1f) << 11))
> > 
> > Why are you not using ___PPC_RB(n) here ?
> 
> Actually, this is wrong.  The number field should be 10 bits (0x3ff),
> not 5 (0x1f)  Anshuman please fix.

ACK.

cheers