In computing, a machine cycle, also known as an instruction cycle, refers to the basic operational cycle of a computer's central processing unit (CPU). It encompasses the sequence of steps required to fetch, decode, execute, and store an instruction from the computer's memory. The machine cycle typically consists of four main stages:
a. Fetch: During this stage, the CPU retrieves the next instruction from the computer's memory (RAM) or cache and places it into the instruction register. The instruction register holds the opcode (operation code) of the instruction being executed.
b. Decode: In this stage, the CPU decodes the instruction fetched from memory to determine the specific operation to be performed. It interprets the opcode and identifies the required operands or data associated with the instruction.
c. Execute: Once the instruction is decoded, the CPU executes the operation specified by the opcode. This may involve performing arithmetic calculations, logical operations, data transfers between registers or memory, or control flow operations (e.g., branching or jumping to a different part of the program).
d. Store: In the final stage of the machine cycle, the CPU may store the result of the executed instruction back into memory, registers, or other storage locations. This could involve updating the value of a memory location, storing data in a register, or writing output to an I/O device.
After completing the store stage, the CPU proceeds to fetch the next instruction in the program sequence, and the cycle repeats. The duration of each machine cycle depends on factors such as the CPU's clock speed, memory access time, and the complexity of the instructions being executed.
Machine cycles are fundamental to the operation of a computer's CPU, enabling it to execute instructions sequentially and perform a wide range of computational tasks efficiently.
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