Definition
Branch History Table
A branch history table (BHT) is a small cache indexed by the low bits of the PC that stores prediction state for recently executed branches.
Each entry typically holds an [[Knowledge/n-Bit Branch Predictor|-bit saturating counter]], most commonly 2 bits. When a branch is encountered, the processor looks up its PC in the BHT and uses the stored counter to predict taken or not taken. After the branch resolves, the counter is updated.
A BHT provides prediction direction only. It does not store target addresses — that is the role of the branch target buffer.