ISA
What is an ISA?
An ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) is a set of instructions that a CPU can execute, defining how software interacts with the hardware, determing what a CPU can do and how it does it.
Key Components of an ISA:
Instruction Set:
A collection of all the machine language instructions that a processor can execute. These include arithmetic operations (like add, subtract), data transfer instructions (like load, store), and control flow instructions (like jump, branch).
Data Types:
The types of data the CPU can handle, such as integers, floating-point numbers, and characters.
Small, fast storage locations within the CPU that hold data temporarily during processing. The ISA defines the number and types of registers available.
Addressing Modes:
The methods by which instructions access data in memory. Common modes include direct, indirect, and indexed addressing.
Memory Architecture:
Defines how memory is organized, accessed, and managed by the CPU. This includes concepts like memory segmentation, paging, and virtual memory.
Examples of ISA
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