32/64-Bit 80x86 Assembly Language Architecture

Chapter 11. Branchless

Okay, we learned how to branch in the last chapter. We also learned about some branchless coding methods such as the butterfly switch and value setting using bit blending. Now let's learn how to make decisions without branching. You have already learned instructions such as the bit test and set. Here you will be shown how to use masking logic to get the same result as one would with the use of branching. The first item to learn is that the MSB (negative bit #31) and Carry bits are your friends! Two values can be subtracted to obtain a positive or negative threshold, and then the resulting state of the MSB can be arithmetically shifted to create a mask of all ones or zeros. That mask can be used to mask or blend bits.

There ...