AExE02 · Chapter 2Digital Logic & Microprocessor🏛️ Past Licensure QuestionID: b4231799
Where is the next instruction in a microprocessor stored?
Where is the next instruction in a microprocessor stored?
Multiple Choice Options
- A✓ Correct Option
Program counter
- B
Instruction register
- C
Accumulator
- D
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Detailed Technical Solution & Explanation
In a microprocessor, the Program Counter (PC) is a special-purpose register that holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched from memory for execution. Once the instruction is fetched, the PC automatically increments to point to the subsequent memory location.
Option Analysis:
•
Option A (Program counter): Correct. The Program Counter tracks and points to the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched.
•
Option B (Instruction register): Incorrect. The Instruction Register (IR) holds the opcode of the instruction currently being decoded and executed, not the next instruction.
•
Option C (Accumulator): Incorrect. The Accumulator (AC) is a working register that holds intermediate arithmetic and logical results.
•
Option D (Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)): Incorrect. The ALU contains combinational circuitry that performs arithmetic and bitwise logical computations.
Reference: Demo2 · Set 2NEC Licensure Syllabus