i totally agree. if this is done, then instructions like: count bits, etc can directly apply to the mask register.

also, from a hardware implementation, the VM register can be implemented with LATÇHES. this facilitates a better implementation (imho) for operations under mask

and yes load and store VM are required

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If separate loads and stores are introduced for mask, then separate vmask register can be introduced to avoid dual use of v0 (as a regular vector register and as a mask register) and its complications.

Alex
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