1. A method for processing instructions in a video/graphics pipeline unit, comprising: a) accessing an address in a patchable lookup table for executing a high level instruction in said graphics pipeline, wherein said address is used to read contents of said address; b) in response to said accessing, determining if said address is tagged for patching; c) accessing an associated register to read a patch value if said address is tagged for patching; d) replacing said contents of said address with said patch value, if said address is tagged for patching and if said patch value is valid, wherein said patch value is used to schedule said high level instruction in a shader pipeline of said graphics pipeline; and e) accessing said contents of said address to schedule said high level instruction in said shader pipeline of said graphics pipeline provided said address is not tagged for patching.