Step 1: Understand the function of the Program Counter.
The Program Counter (PC) is a special-purpose register in a CPU that holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched and executed. This register is used to keep track of the sequence of instructions in a program.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (a) Program Counter: Correct. It holds the address of the next instruction.
- (b) Memory Address Register: Incorrect. This register holds the address of data in memory, not instructions.
- (c) Memory Data Register: Incorrect. This register holds the actual data read from or written to memory.
- (d) Instruction counters: Incorrect. This is not a standard term used for a register.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is (a) Program counter.
In the design of a control unit of a processor, two common approaches are used: hardware control and microprogrammed control. Consider the following statements:
I. Hardware control units are generally faster but more difficult to modify than microprogrammed control units.
II. In a horizontal microprogrammed control unit, each control signal has a separate bit in the control word.
III. Vertical microprogramming leads to longer control words but provides greater parallelism.
IV. Microprogrammed control units are typically easier to implement and modify than hardware control units.
Consider the following statements followed by two conclusions.
Statements: 1. Some men are great. 2. Some men are wise.
Conclusions: 1. Men are either great or wise. 2. Some men are neither great nor wise. Choose the correct option: