The fetch-decode-execute cycle (also known as the fetch-decode-perform cycle or simply the instruction cycle) is the fundamental process by which a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) executes program instructions stored in memory.

It begins with the fetch phase, where the CPU retrieves the next instruction from main memory using the address stored in the program counter (PC), then increments the PC to point to the subsequent instruction.

Next, in the decode phase, the control unit interprets the fetched instruction’s opcode to determine the required operation and identifies any necessary operands or registers.

Finally, in the execute (or perform) phase, the CPU carries out the decoded operation, such as performing an arithmetic calculation, loading/storing data, or altering the program flow via a branch, with results often written back to registers or memory.

This cycle repeats continuously for each instruction, enabling the sequential execution of programs, though modern processors enhance efficiency through techniques like pipelining and out-of-order execution.

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