1.
What is Microprocessor
A microprocessor is an integrated circuit that serves as the central processing unit (CPU) of a
computer system. It is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations in a
computer.
2. Explain the function of CPU in Microprocessor
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main component of a microprocessor. Its function is
to fetch, decode, and execute instructions stored in memory. It performs arithmetic and
logical operations, controls the flow of data, and coordinates the activities of all other
hardware components
3. Define Compiler
A compiler is a software tool that translates high-level programming languages (like C, C++,
Java) into machine code (binary instructions) that can be executed by a microprocessor or
computer.
4. Define Interpreter
An interpreter is a program that directly executes instructions written in a high-level
programming language without prior translation into machine code. It reads and executes
the code line by line.
5. Define Assembler
An assembler is a software tool that converts assembly language code (a low-level
programming language) into machine code. It translates mnemonic instructions and symbolic
labels into their binary representation.
6. What is Assembly level language
Assembly level language is a low-level programming language that represents instructions
using mnemonics and symbolic labels. It is specific to a particular microprocessor
architecture and provides a closer representation of machine code than high-level languages
7. What are Mnemonics
Mnemonics are symbolic names used in assembly language to represent machine
instructions, memory addresses, and other programming elements. For example, "MOV" is a
mnemonic for the move instruction.
8. What is a bus
A bus is a communication pathway that allows data and control signals to be transferred
between various components of a computer system. It acts as a conduit for transmitting
information.
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Manasi Konde
9. Distinguish between Microprocessor & Microcontroller.
10. Define address bus, data bus and control bus
The address bus is a unidirectional bus that carries memory addresses. It is used by the
microprocessor to specify the location in memory where data is to be read from or written
to.
The data bus is a bidirectional bus that carries data between the microprocessor and other
components (such as memory or input/output devices). It is used to transfer the actual data
being read from or written to memory or peripherals.
The control bus carries control signals that coordinate and control the operation of various
components in the microprocessor and the computer system.
11. What is nibble, byte and word
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Manasi Konde
A nibble is a group of four bits. A byte is a group of eight bits. A word typically refers to the
natural data size of the microprocessor, which can vary depending on the architecture (e.g.,
16 bits, 32 bits, 64 bits).
12. What is a register
A register is a small, high-speed storage unit within the microprocessor that can hold data,
instructions, or addresses temporarily during processing
13. Why is the data bus bidirectional
The data bus is bidirectional to allow data to flow in both directions: from the
microprocessor to other components (such as memory or peripherals) and vice versa. This
enables the microprocessor to read data from memory or receive data from input devices
and also write data to memory or send data to output devices.
14. Give the features of 8086 microprocessor
The 8086 microprocessors, an early x86 microprocessor, had the following features:
16-bit architecture with a 20-bit address bus and a 16-bit data bus.
Segmented memory model with support for four 64KB segments: code, data, stack, and
extra.
14 general-purpose registers, including the AX (accumulator) register.
Support for both real mode and protected mode.
Instructions for arithmetic, logic, control flow, and memory access operations.
Interrupt handling and hardware support for I/O operations.
15. What is a flag
A flag is a single-bit storage location within the microprocessor's status register that indicates
the result or status of an operation. Flags are used for conditional branching and decision-
making in program execution.
16. What is the function of the accumulator
The accumulator is a special register in the microprocessor that is used for arithmetic and
logical operations. It holds one of the operands during calculations and stores the result of
the operation
17. What is stack pointer
The stack pointer is a register that keeps track of the top of the stack, a region of memory
used for storing data and return addresses during subroutine calls and interrupt handling.
18. Define effective address
The effective address is the memory address calculated or determined by the
microprocessor's addressing modes. It represents the actual location in memory that the
instruction is referring to.
19. How many segment registers are there in 8086
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Manasi Konde
The 8086 microprocessor has four segment registers: CS (Code Segment), DS (Data Segment),
SS (Stack Segment), and ES (Extra Segment). These registers are used in the segmented
memory model to access different segments of memory.
20. What are the advantages of overlapping segment
Advantages of overlapping segments in a segmented memory model include:
1. Efficient memory utilization: Overlapping segments maximize the effective use of memory
space.
2. Simplified program structure: Overlapping segments simplify the program structure and
reduce memory management complexity.
3. Flexible memory allocation: Overlapping segments allow for dynamic memory allocation
based on program requirements.
4. Improved code readability: Overlapping segments make related program elements easier
to understand and maintain.
5. Faster context switching: Overlapping segments speed up switching between segments in
multitasking systems.
6. Enhanced data sharing: Overlapping segments facilitate direct data sharing between
segments.
7. Reduced memory fragmentation: Overlapping segments help minimize memory
fragmentation.
8. Streamlined program execution: Overlapping segments improve overall program execution
efficiency.
Note: These advantages may vary depending on system architecture and application
characteristics.
21. What is an instruction
An instruction is a command or operation that the microprocessor executes. It can perform
arithmetic and logical operations, control the flow of execution, access memory, and interact
with input/output devices.
22. What are different types of instructions. Give examples
Different types of instructions include:
Data movement instructions (e.g., MOV, PUSH, POP)
Arithmetic and logical instructions (e.g., ADD, SUB, AND, OR)
Control transfer instructions (e.g., JMP, CALL, RET)
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Input/output instructions (e.g., IN, OUT)
String manipulation instructions (e.g., MOVS, CMPS)
23. What are addressing modes
Addressing modes define how the operands of an instruction are specified or accessed. They
determine how the microprocessor interprets the instruction's operands to perform the
desired operation.
24. Give the different type of data related addressing modes and explain with examples.
Data-related addressing modes:
1.Immediate addressing: The operand value is specified directly in the instruction (e.g., ADD
AL, 42).
2.Register addressing: The operand is stored in a register (e.g., ADD AX, BX).
3.Memory addressing: The operand is stored in memory, and the instruction specifies the
memory address (e.g., ADD AX, [SI]).
25. What are the different types of branch related addressing modes
Branch-related addressing modes:
1.Direct addressing: The branch target address is directly specified in the instruction (e.g.,
JMP label).
2.Indirect addressing: The branch target address is stored in a register or memory location
(e.g., JMP BX).
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Manasi Konde
26. Distinguish between packed BCD and unpacked BCD
27. Describe CBW and CWD instructions
The CBW (Convert Byte to Word) instruction extends a signed byte in the AL register to a
signed word in the AX register. The CWD (Convert Word to Doubleword) instruction extends
a signed word in the AX register to a signed doubleword in the DX:AX register pair.
28. Describe about MUL, IMUL, DIV, IDIV instructions
MUL (Multiply) and IMUL (Signed Multiply) instructions perform multiplication operations.
DIV (Divide) and IDIV (Signed Divide) instructions perform division operations.
29. Describe about LOOP instructions
The LOOP instruction is used for implementing loops in assembly language. It decrements
the CX register and jumps to the specified label if the CX register is not zero.
30. Give examples of conditional branch instructions.
Conditional branch instructions perform branching based on the state of the flags. Examples
include JE (Jump if Equal), JG (Jump if Greater), and JNZ (Jump if Not Zero).
31. Give examples of unconditional branch instructions?
Unconditional branch instructions perform branching unconditionally. Examples include JMP
(Jump), CALL (Call Subroutine), and RET (Return from Subroutine).
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Manasi Konde
32. What are flag manipulation instructions ? Give examples.
Flag manipulation instructions are used to modify or control the state of the flags. Examples
include STC (Set Carry Flag), CLC (Clear Carry Flag), and CMC (Complement Carry Flag).
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Manasi Konde
