The word length of the microcomputer is 4 bytes, which means that the overall binary number transmitted and processed in the CPU is 32 bits. Because a byte is 8 bits long (word length), 4 bytes are 32 bits, which means that the CPU can process 32 bits of binary data at the same time. In the computer field, a word is used to represent a fixed length of one-time processing transactions; the number of digits in a word, that is, the word length, is the number of binary digits that the computer can process at one time.
The operating environment of this tutorial: Windows 7 system, Dell G3 computer.
The word length of the microcomputer is 4 bytes, which means that the overall binary number transmitted and processed in the CPU is 32 bits.
Because a byte is 8 bits long, 4 bytes are 32 bits, which means that the CPU can process 32-bit binary data at the same time.
In the computer field, word is a term used to represent its natural data unit for a specific computer design, and is used to represent a fixed length of one-time processing transactions.
The number of digits in a word, that is, the word length, is an important feature in the structure of a computer system. Word length is reflected in many aspects of computer architecture and operation. Most registers in computers are one word in size. Typical numerical values processed by computers may also be in word length units.
The unit of data transfer between CPU and memory is usually one word length. Also, the address used to specify a storage location in memory is often expressed in word lengths. The word lengths of modern computers are usually 16, 32, or 64 bits.
Other word lengths that have been used are: 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 39, 40, 48, 60 bits; slab is another early word length example. Computers use binary encoding to represent numbers, characters, instructions and other control information. When a computer is storing, transmitting or operating, a set of binary codes as a unit is called a word, and the number of binary bits in a word is called the word length.
Extended knowledge:
The difference between 32-bit system and 64-bit system:
First, the original design intention is different. The 64-bit operating system is designed to meet the needs of customers requiring large amounts of memory and floating-point performance in areas such as mechanical design and analysis, 3D animation, video editing and creation, as well as scientific computing and high-performance computing applications. In other words, they are operating platforms for high-tech personnel to use special software in their industry. And 32-bit operating systems are designed for ordinary users.
Second, the configuration requirements are different. 64-bit operating systems can only be installed on 64-bit computers (the CPU must be 64-bit). At the same time, you need to install 64-bit common software to get the best performance of 64-bit (x64). 32-bit operating systems can be installed on 32-bit (32-bit CPU) or 64-bit (64-bit CPU) computers. Of course, when a 32-bit operating system is installed on a 64-bit computer, its hardware is like a "big cow pulling a small cart": 64-bit performance will be greatly reduced.
Third, the computing speed is different. The data width of 64-bit CPU GPRs (General-Purpose Registers, general-purpose registers) is 64 bits, and the 64-bit instruction set can run 64-bit data instructions, which means that the processor can extract 64-bit data at one time (as long as two instructions are fetched at one time) 8 bytes of data), which is doubled compared to 32 bits (which requires four instructions to extract 4 bytes of data at a time). In theory, the performance will be doubled accordingly.
Fourth, the addressing capabilities are different. The advantage of 64-bit processors is also reflected in the system's control of memory. Since addresses use special integers, an ALU (arithmetic logic unit) and registers can handle larger integers, which means larger addresses. 32-bit CPU and operating system can only support up to 4GB of memory, while 64-bit CPU and operating system can theoretically support up to 16EB of memory (16777216TB).
In short, a 64-bit operating system must rely on the support of 64-bit host hardware "top" and the assistance of 64-bit common software "bottom" in order to maximize the advantages of 64-bit. The "trinity" lacks You can't do both (the reason is very simple: the operating system is just a running platform that connects the previous and the next). As for 64-bit computers that can be installed with 32-bit operating systems, and 64-bit operating systems that can be installed with 32-bit software, that is "downward compatibility" by design, not the original intention of the 64-bit design.
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