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The Fetch

The Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle is the essential process by which a CPU carries out instructions, consisting of three steps: Fetch, Decode, and Execute. Key components involved include the Program Counter, Memory Address Register, Memory Data Register, Instruction Register, Control Unit, and Arithmetic Logic Unit. This cycle repeats for each instruction, enabling the computer to operate effectively.

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11 views

The Fetch

The Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle is the essential process by which a CPU carries out instructions, consisting of three steps: Fetch, Decode, and Execute. Key components involved include the Program Counter, Memory Address Register, Memory Data Register, Instruction Register, Control Unit, and Arithmetic Logic Unit. This cycle repeats for each instruction, enabling the computer to operate effectively.

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ruvinirathnayake.1980
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle is the process by which a computer’s Central Processing Unit (CPU)

carries out instructions. This cycle is fundamental to how a computer operates and is covered in Cambridge
Lower Secondary Computing (Book 8 or 9) under computer architecture and the role of the CPU.

📌 Steps of the Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

Every instruction in a computer program follows these three steps:

1️⃣Fetch
 The CPU retrieves (fetches) an instruction from main memory (RAM).
 The instruction's location is stored in the Program Counter (PC).
 The Memory Address Register (MAR) holds the address of the instruction.
 The instruction is then placed into the Memory Data Register (MDR) before being transferred to the Instruction
Register (IR).

2️⃣Decode
 The CPU’s Control Unit (CU) reads the instruction and determines what needs to be done.
 It translates (decodes) the instruction into a format that the computer can understand.
 If necessary, the CPU fetches additional data needed to execute the instruction.

3️⃣Execute
 The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) or Control Unit processes the decoded instruction.
 The instruction is carried out, which may involve calculations, data transfer, or logic operations.
 The Program Counter (PC) is updated to point to the next instruction.

After execution, the cycle repeats for the next instruction.

📌 Key Components Involved

Component Function
Keeps track of the next instruction's memory
Program Counter (PC)
address.
Memory Address Register
Holds the address of the instruction or data.
(MAR)
Memory Data Register
Stores data fetched from memory.
(MDR)
Instruction Register (IR) Stores the current instruction being processed.
Control Unit (CU) Decodes and directs the execution of instructions.
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Performs calculations and logical operations.
(ALU)

📌 Real-Life Example

Imagine a robot following a recipe:

1. Fetch: The robot looks at the first step of the recipe.


2. Decode: It understands what needs to be done (e.g., mix ingredients).
3. Execute: The robot performs the action.

The cycle continues until all steps (instructions) are completed! 🤖💡

Would you like a diagram to visualize the process? 😊

Here's a simple diagram to help visualize the Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle:

┌───────────────────────────┐
│ FETCH │
│ 1. Program Counter (PC) │
│ → MAR │
│ 2. MAR sends address │
│ to RAM │
│ 3. Data from RAM → MDR │
│ 4. MDR → Instruction Register │
└───────────▼────────────────┘
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ DECODE │
│ 1. Control Unit reads IR │
│ 2. Instruction analyzed │
│ 3. CU determines action │
└───────────▼────────────────┘
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ EXECUTE │
│ 1. ALU processes data │
│ 2. Control Unit directs │
│ memory operations │
│ 3. Results stored in RAM │
│ 4. PC updates to next │
│ instruction │
└───────────────────────────┘

This cycle repeats for each instruction the CPU processes! 💻🔄

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