CISCarkkitehtuurista

CISCarkkitehtuurista, or Complex Instruction Set Computer architecture, represents a design approach in computer engineering where processors are equipped with a comprehensive set of instructions. This architecture emerged in the 1970s as a response to the growing complexity of software development, aiming to simplify programming by providing more powerful instructions that could accomplish multiple tasks in a single operation. CISC processors typically feature variable-length instructions, allowing for more compact code, and include specialized instructions for specific operations. The philosophy behind CISC was to move complexity from software to hardware, reducing the number of instructions a program needed to execute. However, this approach often resulted in slower clock speeds and increased manufacturing costs. Notable examples of CISC architectures include Intel's x86 series and Motorola's 68000 family. While RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architectures have gained prominence in many applications due to their efficiency and simplicity, CISC continues to be relevant, particularly in desktop and server computing where backward compatibility with existing software is crucial. Modern processors often incorporate elements of both architectures, blurring the historical distinctions between the two approaches.