1. A method for providing a software routine for executing a multi-function instruction for performing a multi-function operation, the method comprising: building the software routine to emulate execution of the multi-function instruction of a first computer architecture on a general purpose processor (GPA) of an alternate computer architecture, the multi-function instruction configured to perform a multi-function operation, the software routine comprising a plurality of instructions, the software routine configured to cause the general purpose processor of the alternate computer architecture to perform a method comprising: 1) based on the multi-function operation to be performed being a function query operation, performing a) and b), comprising: a) determining, by the GPA, for each of one or more multi-function operations whether a corresponding multi-function function is installed on a computer system for execution by a multi-function instruction; and b) saving, by the GPA, a status word, the status word comprising one or more status word bits, each one of the one or more status word bits indicating whether a corresponding multi-function function is installed on the computer system, each one of the one or more status word bits having a position in the status word corresponding to the corresponding multi-function function; and 2) based on the multi-function operation to be performed being a multi-function operation other than a function query operation, performing, by the GPA, the multi-function operation; and 3) storing, by a processor, the software routine on a computer readable tangible storage media; and 4) providing the computer readable tangible storage media having the software routine, for use by the general purpose processor of an alternate computer architecture.