1. A computer-based method comprising: generating a mask wherein said generating said mask includes: executing a single instruction multiple data instruction on a plurality of operands stored in a first plurality of registers on a processor to generate said mask; and storing said mask in an available register wherein said available register is one of a second plurality of registers on said processor; generating a conditional-move mask in another register on said processor using said mask; and using said conditional-move mask in selecting operands from said plurality of operands to generate a result in yet another register on said processor.