CPU Structure & Instruction Flashcards

cycle, CPU, pipeline, RISC

What is an Assembly language

A low-level programming language that acts as a bridge between the code we write and the machine code that a computer understands

Why use assembly language

gives programmers direct control of their CPU to optimize how the machine performs tasks

Instructions component

tells the computer what to do

Operands component

Specifies data that the instruction will be working on

Mnemonics component

Readable abbreviation for humans (ex. MOV, SUB, ADD)

Limitations of assembly language

complex, not portable, lacks features

What is a pipeline hazard?

a situation where a program is forced to a halt/ forcing stalls/ delays

types of pipeline hazard

Structural hazard ,Data Hazard (Read-after write, Write-after-read, Write-after-write), Control hazard

Explain Structural Hazard

multiple instruction requires the same hardware resource. Forced to execute serially instead of parallel.

Explain Data Hazard (R-A-W, W-A-R, W-A-W)

RAW - Instruction tries to read data before its written

WAR - Write happens after a read

WAW - two write to the same register (order matters)

Core components of a CPU

Control unit (CU) for direct operations, Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for calculations, and Registers for small and fast storage

What is a bus?

Internal pathways that transfer data and control signals between components.

What is a clock?

Generates electrical pulses to synchronize all CPU operations, determining its speed (measured in GHz)

How Cache works in the CPU

a small, fast memory for CPU to store frequently used data in order to reduce trips to slower RAM

What is CISC in computing?

(Complex Instruction Set Computing) - A CPU design that uses powerful, multi-step instructions to preform fewer lines of code. A huge contrast between RISC but favors the hardware more

What is RISC in computing?

(Reduced Instruction Set Computing) - A CPU design that uses simple, single-cycle instructions that requires more lines but simplifying hardware

CISC is mainly used in…?

Desktop PC’s and laptops through Von Neumann Architecture

RISC is mainly used in…?

mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles.

CISC Instruction set range

Ranging only up to 100 instructions

RISC instruction set range

Ranging up to 100 to 250 instructions