Instruktionshämtningsvägen

Instruktionshämtningsvägen, often translated as the instruction fetch stage, is a fundamental part of the processor's execution cycle. It is the phase where the central processing unit (CPU) retrieves the next instruction to be executed from memory. This process is crucial for the sequential execution of programs.

The instruction fetch stage begins when the program counter (PC), a special register within the CPU, holds the memory address of the next instruction. The CPU then uses this address to send a request to the memory unit. The memory unit, in turn, locates the instruction at the specified address and sends it back to the CPU.

Once the instruction is received by the CPU, it is typically placed in an instruction register. This instruction register holds the fetched instruction temporarily while it is decoded and executed. The program counter is then updated to point to the next instruction in sequence, preparing for the subsequent fetch cycle. This cycle of fetching, decoding, and executing is repeated for every instruction in a program, forming the core of how computers run software. The speed and efficiency of the instruction fetch stage significantly impact the overall performance of the CPU.