docs: arm64: convert docs to ReST and rename to .rst

[linux-2.6-microblaze.git] / Documentation / arm64 / legacy_instructions.rst

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+===================
+Legacy instructions
+===================
+
+The arm64 port of the Linux kernel provides infrastructure to support
+emulation of instructions which have been deprecated, or obsoleted in
+the architecture. The infrastructure code uses undefined instruction
+hooks to support emulation. Where available it also allows turning on
+the instruction execution in hardware.
+
+The emulation mode can be controlled by writing to sysctl nodes
+(/proc/sys/abi). The following explains the different execution
+behaviours and the corresponding values of the sysctl nodes -
+
+* Undef
+    Value: 0
+
+  Generates undefined instruction abort. Default for instructions that
+  have been obsoleted in the architecture, e.g., SWP
+
+* Emulate
+    Value: 1
+
+  Uses software emulation. To aid migration of software, in this mode
+  usage of emulated instruction is traced as well as rate limited
+  warnings are issued. This is the default for deprecated
+  instructions, .e.g., CP15 barriers
+
+* Hardware Execution
+    Value: 2
+
+  Although marked as deprecated, some implementations may support the
+  enabling/disabling of hardware support for the execution of these
+  instructions. Using hardware execution generally provides better
+  performance, but at the loss of ability to gather runtime statistics
+  about the use of the deprecated instructions.
+
+The default mode depends on the status of the instruction in the
+architecture. Deprecated instructions should default to emulation
+while obsolete instructions must be undefined by default.
+
+Note: Instruction emulation may not be possible in all cases. See
+individual instruction notes for further information.
+
+Supported legacy instructions
+-----------------------------
+* SWP{B}
+
+:Node: /proc/sys/abi/swp
+:Status: Obsolete
+:Default: Undef (0)
+
+* CP15 Barriers
+
+:Node: /proc/sys/abi/cp15_barrier
+:Status: Deprecated
+:Default: Emulate (1)
+
+* SETEND
+
+:Node: /proc/sys/abi/setend
+:Status: Deprecated
+:Default: Emulate (1)*
+
+  Note: All the cpus on the system must have mixed endian support at EL0
+  for this feature to be enabled. If a new CPU - which doesn't support mixed
+  endian - is hotplugged in after this feature has been enabled, there could
+  be unexpected results in the application.