For computers based on three-address instruction formats, each address field…

2015

For computers based on three-address instruction formats, each address field can be used to specify which of the following:

(S1) A memory operand

(S2) A processor register

(S3) An implied accumulator register

Answer: A. Either S1 or S2Key idea: In three-address instruction formats each operand is supplied explicitly by the instruction. A memory operand (S1): allowed — an address field can…

  1. A.

    Either S1 or S2

  2. B.

    Either S2 or S3

  3. C.

    Only S2 and S3

  4. D.

    All of S1, S2 and S3

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Correct answer: A

Key idea: In three-address instruction formats each operand is supplied explicitly by the instruction.

  • A memory operand (S1): allowed — an address field can name a memory location.

  • A processor register (S2): allowed — an address field can name a register.

  • An implied accumulator register (S3): not allowed — implied accumulators are used in accumulator (one-address) architectures, but three-address instructions provide all operand addresses explicitly.

Conclusion: Each address field can specify either a memory operand or a processor register (S1 or S2), so the correct choice is the one that states Either S1 or S2.

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