Pageable branch history table

A branch history table (BHT) is substantially improved by dividing it into two parts: an active area, and a backup area. The active area contains entries for a small number of branches which the processor can encounter in the near future and the backup area contains all other branch entries. Means are provided to bring entries from the backup area into the active area ahead of when the processor will use those entries. When entries are no longer needed they are removed from the active area and put into the backup area if not already there. New entries for the near future are brought in, so that the active area, though small, will almost always contain the branch information needed by the processor. The small size of the active area allows it to be fast and to be optimally located in the processor layout. The backup area can be located outside the critical part of the layout and can therefore be made larger than would be practicable for a standard BHT.