Microcode: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:29, 6 April 2005

Revision as of 18:20, 24 April 2005

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A '''microprogram''' is a program consisting of '''microcode''' that controls the different parts of a computer's central processing unit ([[Central processing unit|CPU]]). The [[computer storage|memory]] in which it resides is called a [[control store]]. Complex microprograms were typical of [[mainframe computer]]s, such as the [[IBM]] [[System/360]]; but see [[RISC]] for more modern processor design.

Before 1951, the control logic for central processing units was designed by ''ad hoc'' methods. One of the simplest was to use rings of [[flip-flop]]s to sequence the computer's control logic.