A fetch cycle is a process by which a computer's central processing unit (CPU) retrieves an instruction from memory and prepares it for execution. The fetch cycle typically consists of the following steps:
The CPU retrieves the next instruction from memory, using the program counter (PC) to determine the memory address of the next instruction.
The CPU decodes the instruction to determine the operation to be performed, the operands involved, and any addressing modes required.
If the instruction requires operands, the CPU retrieves them from memory or from registers, depending on the addressing mode.
The CPU performs the operation specified by the instruction, using the fetched operands.
If the operation produces a result, the CPU stores it back in memory or in a register, depending on the addressing mode.
The program counter is incremented to point to the next instruction in memory, and the process begins again with a new instruction fetch.
These steps are repeated over and over again as the CPU executes the program, fetching and executing each instruction in turn until the program is complete.
Markdown for AI
A clean, structured version of this page for AI assistants and LLMs.
We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you
acknowledge that you have read and understood our
Cookie Policy &
Privacy Policy.
A fetch cycle is a process by which a computer's central processing unit (CPU) retrieves an instruction from memory and prepares it for execution. The fetch cycle typically consists of the following steps:
These steps are repeated over and over again as the CPU executes the program, fetching and executing each instruction in turn until the program is complete.