Patent ID: 6061783
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computer system, a method for direct manipulation of a bit field directly in memory, wherein a processor performs a bit field arithmetic operation with a first bit string and a second bit string, said method comprising:shifting a bit segment contained in said first bit string toward a higher significant bit by a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount specified by a least significant bit within a bit field contained in said second bit string;masking uninteresting bits contained in said first bit string not associated with said bit segment, masking uninteresting bits contained in said second bit string not associated with said bit field, providing for a first masked bit string and a second masked bit string, respectively; andperforming said bit field arithmetic operation, wherein said masked bit strings are arithmetically coupled, providing for a resultant bit string containing a resultant bit field segment, said resultant bit field segment comprising an arithmetic operation result between said bit segment and said bit field.