title: Is there something like x86 cpuid() available for PowerPC?
body: <p>I'd like to write some C code be able to query processor attributes on PowerPC, much like one can do with cpuid on x86. I'm after things like brand, model, stepping, SIMD width, available operations, so that there can be run-time confirmation that the code is being used on a compatible platform before something blows up.</p>
  
  <p>Is there a general mechanism for doing this on PowerPC? If so, where can one read about it?</p>