What is an opcode?
Q: What is an opcode?
A: An opcode is a binary number that identifies which basic computer operation in the instruction set should be performed. It is used when writing machine code and tells the computer what to do.
Q: What are operands?
A: Operands are typically memory or registry addresses that accompany an opcode in a machine language instruction. They can be thought of as the subject of a sentence, while the opcode acts like a verb.
Q: How many common opcodes are employed in modern computers?
A: There are hundreds of common opcodes employed in modern computers.
Q: How are opcodes represented?
A: Opcodes can be represented by either binary numbers or hexadecimal digits for ease of reading and coding when designing or emulating a machine-code program.
Q: How long are modern opcodes?
A: Modern opcodes are at least two hex characters in length, taking up 1 byte of storage space.
Q: What is RISC and CISC?
A: Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) offers less possible opcodes in favor of increasing speed for simple processes, while Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) offers more opcodes in favor of increasing speed for complex processes.
Q: How do programmers usually use opcodes?
A: Programmers rarely use direct programming into memory with an individual computer's specific set of instructions; instead they write programs using assembly language or high level-programming languages which get converted to machine code whenever the program file is read so it can work on multiple types of computers.
