Assignment 7

Question 1

CISC

Answer 1

Complex Instruction Set Computer. This is a single arithmetic logic based CU. It performs calculations and operations in sequence, and only executes one command at a time. Tio alternate between commands, interrupts are sent from the hardware or software to attempt multitasking.

Question 2

MMX

Answer 2

A processor extension introduced in 1997 that increased the processing power by adding new instructions. However, to access those new instructions the existing software must be upgraded.

Question 3

RISC

Answer 3

A type of CPU that contains multiple ALUs and can process several instructions at once. Examples of companies that use this CPU are the PowerPC and Intel Alpha series.

Question 4

Program Counter

Answer 4

A counter that identifies the address of the next program command to be executed.

Question 5

Status Register

Answer 5

Part of a register that identifies whether the user level is supervisor or user.

Question 6

Instruction Register

Answer 6

Part of a register that keeps track of the instructions to be executed.