Which concept refers to the instruction execution mechanism in a CPU?

The concept that refers to the instruction execution mechanism in a CPU is the Fetch-Execute cycle. This cycle describes the process that a CPU undergoes to execute instructions stored in memory.

During the Fetch-Execute cycle, the CPU first fetches an instruction from memory, which involves retrieving the instruction code from the memory address indicated by the program counter. This action prepares the CPU to process the instruction. Once the instruction is fetched, it is decoded to determine what action is required (such as adding numbers, storing data, etc.). Finally, the CPU executes the instruction, which may modify data in registers or memory or affect the program flow.

The Fetch-Execute cycle is fundamental to all operations of a CPU because it represents the core mechanism by which programs are run on a computer. Successful execution of a program depends critically on how efficiently this cycle is performed.

While other concepts such as data fetch, memory addressing, and instruction pipeline relate to different aspects of computing and CPU function, none encapsulate the overarching process of instruction execution as effectively as the Fetch-Execute cycle. Data fetch refers to the action of retrieving data, memory addressing describes how the CPU identifies memory locations, and instruction pipeline involves overlapping the stages of multiple instructions to increase efficiency, but these do not