Patent ID: 8661231

Claim:
A method for providing a computer system for executing a multi-function instruction for performing a multi-function operation, the method comprising: configuring a processor of a computer system to execute the multi-function instruction, the multi-function instruction configured to perform a multi-function operation, the processor configured to perform a method comprising: 1) based on the multi-function operation to be performed being a function query operation, performing a) and b), comprising: a) determining, by the processor, for each of one or more multi-function operations whether a corresponding multi-function function is installed on the computer system for execution by a multi-function instruction; and b) saving, by the processor, a status word, the status word comprising one or more status word bits, each one of the one or more status word bits indicating whether a corresponding multi-function function is installed on the computer system, each one of the one or more status word bits having a position in the status word corresponding to the corresponding multi-function function; and 2) based on the multi-function operation to be performed being a multi-function operation other than a function query operation, performing, by the processor, the multi-function operation; and 3) providing the processor of the computer system, which has been configured, to execute the multi-function instruction.