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speculative execution

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speculative execution

(processor)
A technique allows a superscalar processor to keep its functional units as busy as possible by executing instructions before it is known that they will be needed.

The Intel P6 uses speculative execution.

Compare branch prediction, speculative evaluation.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)
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References in periodicals archive
So processors use a technique called "speculative execution" to run several sets of tasks simultaneously while it locates the right memory slot.
Spectre attacks take advantage of a chip feature called "speculative execution".
The attack then confuses the system's processor by exploiting a feature called speculative execution. Used in all modern CPUs, speculative execution speeds processing by enabling the processor to essentially guess what it will be asked to do next and plan accordingly.
Once the fault is triggered, there is a gap before resolution where the processor will use speculative execution to try to load data.
As we've previously discussed, this attack again targets an aspect of speculative execution -- in this case, it's called a Speculative Store Bypass (SSB).
The flaws result from the way computers try to guess what users are likely to do next, a process called speculative execution.
Organizations can use the power of artificial intelligence, machine learning and speculative execution to sense and respond to threats in real time.
Modern chips utilize an intuitive capability called 'speculative execution' designed to complete tasks quicker.
The first two are referred to as Spectre, the third as Meltdown, and all three variants involve speculative execution of code to read what should have been protected memory and the use of subsequent side-channel-based attacks to infer the memory contents.
When AMD learned that researchers had discovered a new CPU attack targeting the speculative execution functionality used by multiple chip companies' products, they immediately engaged across the ecosystem to address the teams' findings.
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