MEMORY ADDRESS CHECKING IN A PROCCESOR THAT SUPPORT BOTH A SEGMENTED AND A UNSEGMENTED ADDRESS SPACE

A processor supports several operating modes. In at least one of the operating modes, a segmented address space is used. In at least one other operating mode, an unsegmented address space is used. In the unsegmented address space, a canonical check applies to addresses. In the segmented address space, a segment limit check applies. In some cases, both a segment limit check and a canonical check applies dependent on the segment used (e.g. either user or table segments). An exception circuit selects one or more of the canonical check result(s) and the segment limit check result to generate an exception indication. The selection is dependent on the operating mode and the segment of the data reference. The processor may also perform selective truncation of addresses based on the operating mode and the segment.