Interpretive Simulation
TechniqueInterpretive simulation is an instruction-set simulation paradigm in which instructions are decoded and executed one by one. It offers high flexibility for run-time modifiable programs, but instruction decoding is identified as its main performance bottleneck.
First seen 5/26/2026
Last seen 5/29/2026
Evidence 4 chunks
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WIKI
Overview
Interpretive simulation is described in the context of instruction set simulators (ISS) as one of three main simulation paradigms, alongside compiled simulation and just-in-time compiled simulation (JIT-CS). These paradigms differ in flexibility and performance. [C1]
Operation
NEIGHBORHOOD
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5 connectionsInterpretive simulation decodes instructions one by one, making instruction decoding its bottleneck.
JIT compiled simulation extends interpretive simulation by caching decoded instructions to avoid recomputation.
The generated C++ ISS clearly outperforms interpretive simulation.
Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite ← compares with 100% 1e
The paper compares the generated ISS performance against interpretive simulation.
Interpretive simulators decode instructions one by one, making instruction decoding the bottleneck.
LINKED ENTITIES
3 linksCompiled Simulation contrasted_with The evidence contrasts interpretive simulation with compiled simulation, noting differences in when decoding is performed and applicability to run-time modifiable code.
Just-in-Time Compiled Simulation contrasted_with The evidence contrasts interpretive simulation with JIT-CS and describes caching of previously decoded instruction information as a way to retain interpretive flexibility while improving performance.
Instruction Decoding performance_bottleneck The evidence explicitly states that the bottleneck in interpretive simulation is instruction decoding.
CITATIONS
7 sources7 citations — click to expand
[1] C1: Interpretive simulation is one of three main instruction-set simulation paradigms, along with compiled simulation and just-in-time compiled simulation, and these paradigms differ in flexibility and performance. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite
[2] C2: Interpretive simulators decode instructions to be executed one by one. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite
[3] C3: Interpretive simulators offer the highest flexibility for run-time modifiable programs, while compiled simulation is not applicable for run-time modifiable code or dynamic scheduling. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite
[4] C4: The bottleneck in interpretive simulation is instruction decoding. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite
[5] C5: Compiled simulators perform decoding, and sometimes static scheduling, at compile time. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite
[6] C6: Just-in-time compiled simulation stores information on previously decoded instructions in a cache for reuse and can achieve performance comparable to compiled simulation without losing interpretive flexibility. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite
[7] C7: In a reported small-processor evaluation, an interpretive ISS achieved 0.22 MIPS, a JIT-CS simulator achieved 14 MIPS, and a property-suite-generated ISS achieved 7 MIPS. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite