What is the difference between CISC and RISC architectures?
The main difference between CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) and RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architectures lies in their instruction set design philosophy and execution approach : 🔹 CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) Key Characteristics: Large and complex instruction set : A single instruction can execute several low-level operations (e.g., memory access + ALU operation). Variable-length instructions : Instructions can vary in size and complexity. Microprogrammed control unit : Complex instructions are decoded and executed using internal microcode. Fewer instructions per program , but each instruction is more complex and may take multiple clock cycles. Advantages: Easier to write assembly code due to powerful instructions. Can lead to more compact code. Examples: x86 ( Intel , AMD ) 🔹 RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) Key Characteristics: Small and simple instruction set : Each instruction performs a very bas...