Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product in a Performance Monitor for Sampling All Performance Events Generated by a Processor

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for sampling all performance event signals generated by a processor. A performance monitor is included in the processor. The performance monitor receives performance event signals from the processor. These performance event signals indicate the current full event state of the processor. A limited number of counters are provided in the performance monitor for counting only a selected subset of the performance event signals. An event register is provided in the performance monitor that intercepts the performance event signals prior to the subset of the performance event signals being counted. The performance event signals are stored together as a single unit in the event register. The unit is a full set of available performance event signals that indicate the current full event state of the processor.