Which register is responsible for storing the address of the instruction currently being fetched?

Which register is responsible for storing the address of the instruction currently being fetched?

• A. Accumulator
• B. Data Register
• C. Address Register
• D. Program Counter

Answer: (D)

The Program Counter is responsible for storing the address of the instruction currently being fetched. This register plays a crucial role in the execution cycle of a computer. Each time the CPU fetches an instruction from memory, the Program Counter holds the memory address of that next instruction. After fetching the instruction, the Program Counter is automatically incremented to point to the subsequent instruction in the sequence. This allows the CPU to maintain the proper flow of execution through the program, ensuring that instructions are executed in the correct order. Understanding the role of the Program Counter is fundamental in grasping how CPU instruction execution works. It also highlights the importance of sequential processing in computer architecture, where each instruction needs to be executed in the context of its position in the sequence.

The Program Counter is responsible for storing the address of the instruction currently being fetched. This register plays a crucial role in the execution cycle of a computer. Each time the CPU fetches an instruction from memory, the Program Counter holds the memory address of that next instruction. After fetching the instruction, the Program Counter is automatically incremented to point to the subsequent instruction in the sequence. This allows the CPU to maintain the proper flow of execution through the program, ensuring that instructions are executed in the correct order.

Understanding the role of the Program Counter is fundamental in grasping how CPU instruction execution works. It also highlights the importance of sequential processing in computer architecture, where each instruction needs to be executed in the context of its position in the sequence.