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to prefetch

to prefetch

6.8
To load data in advance so it is ready faster when needed
  • verb
  • /ˈpriːˌfɛtʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pre-cargar
  • The application can prefetch data to improve loading times for users.
  • prefetch data into cache
  • prefetch instructions
  • prefetch data

Examples

  • The BTB would thus be trying to predict the targets of branches and prefetch those targets.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Therefore, the hardware should attempt to prefetch cache lines that are ahead of the current value of r.

    Academic text (1997)
  • For example, consider an instruction storage interrupt that might occur when instructions are prefetched.

    Academic text (1994)
  • A simpler scheme is to prefetch both vectors every 32 iterations.

    Academic text (1997)
  • By prefetching two columns ahead, our measurements show that all of the required data are in cache.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The problem is that a subsequent instruction is likely to have been prefetched and is already in an instruction buffer.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Multiple FXUs help in prefetching data into cache.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Thus, the multiple functional units of POWER2 allow for the possibility of prefetching data into cache.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The fetch logic prefetches instructions along an expected or guessed instruction stream path.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Finally, our proposal enables prefetching in irregular loops, which Mowry did not consider.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

to load
vsto prefetch
  • Specialized
140 3.9

To move a file or program into a computer's memory for use

moves data ahead of time to improve performance

How Proactive

to prefetch
  • Specialized
6.8
preload
  • Specialized
5.3
to fetch
  • Specialized
6 4.9

Surface Forms

prefetch infinitive
prefetched past
prefetched past participle
prefetching present participle
prefetches third person singular

Morphology

prefetch = fetch (semi-transparent) = pre + fetch

The prefix 'pre-' transparently adds the meaning 'in advance' to 'fetch', but the computing use of 'fetch' is specialized.

Etymology

The verb prefetch comes from pre- 'before' and fetch 'to get', so to prefetch is to 'get' data ahead of time so a website or app will load more quickly.