DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING CORRUPTED DATA VALUES

The present invention provides a data processing apparatus and method for handling corrupted data values. The method comprises the steps of: a) accessing a data value in a memory within a data processing apparatus; b) initiating processing of the data value within the data processing apparatus; c) whilst at least one of the steps a) and b) are being performed, determining whether the data value accessed is corrupted; and d) when it is determined that the data value is corrupted, disabling an interface used to propagate data values between the data processing apparatus and a device coupled to the data processing apparatus to prevent propagation of a corrupted data value to the device. When a data value is accessed, the data processing apparatus can begin processing of that data value and, hence, the performance of the data processing apparatus is not reduced. If it is determined that the data value which was accessed was corrupted or contains an error then the interface which couples the data processing apparatus with the device is disabled. Disabling the interface effectively quarantines any corrupted data values by preventing them from being propagated to the device. Preventing corrupted data values from being propagated to the device ensures that no change in state can occur in the device as a result of the corrupted data values.