MULTILEVEL CONVERSION TABLE CACHE FOR TRANSLATING GUEST INSTRUCTIONS TO NATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

A method for translating instructions for a processor. The method includes accessing a guest instruction and performing a first level translation of the guest instruction using a first level conversion table. The method further includes outputting a resulting native instruction when the first level translation proceeds to completion. A second level translation of the guest instruction is performed using a second level conversion table when the first level translation does not proceed to completion, wherein the second level translation further processes the guest instruction based upon a partial translation from the first level conversion table. The resulting native instruction is output when the second level translation proceeds to completion.