4 ms·

ARM did it, not Apple.

• JohnBooty 8y ago
  Apple did it, not ARM. Apple designs the chips: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple-designed_processors https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple-designed_processors Specifically, Apple has an ARM "architectural license", which is for companies "designing their own CPU cores using the ARM instruction sets. These cores must comply fully with the ARM architecture. Companies that have designed cores that implement an ARM architecture include Apple, AppliedMicro, Broadcom, Cavium (now: Marvell), Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Samsung Electronics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_architecture#Licensing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_architecture#Licensing
  • etaoins 8y ago
    This is an instruction specified in the ARMv8.3‑A instruction set. It was specified and designed by ARM, not Apple. Apple is merely the first to ship silicon implementing v8.3-A.
  • kbumsik 8y ago
    Again, ARM did it, not Apple. ARM designed that JS-optimized instruction. Apple just follows (and it has to) ARM specification in Apple’s own way. Don’t confuse between ISA design and its chip implementation design.
    • dannyw 8y ago
      Don't think for a sec that ARM doesn't design ISAs without talking to vendors like Apple.
    • JohnBooty 8y ago
      Thanks for the correction.
  • mav3rick 8y ago
    The ISA is all ARM the microarchitecture is the vendor i.e. Apple.
• sgillen 8y ago
  I think it's most accurate to say that Apple did it and ARM helped. Apple designed the chip, and ARM designed the platform and instructions for them to build with.
  • olliej 8y ago
    Apple isn't using the instruction (see other comments), I don't know how you determine providence for features, but basically ARM licenses including a space for private ISAs where custom instructions can live, but you still have to get permission for an instruction afaik (essentially ARM may choose to make it part of public ISA, rather than it just being your own instruction).