The fetch-execute (FE) cycle
I can describe the steps and functions of components in the fetch-execute (FE) cycle.
The fetch-execute (FE) cycle
I can describe the steps and functions of components in the fetch-execute (FE) cycle.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The control unit decodes an instruction and tells other components what to do.
- The accumulator holds any data that is produced.
- Buses carry instructions from one component to another.
Keywords
Bus - used to carry instructions from one component to another
Binary representation - a sequence of 0s and 1s — the machine code of a computer
Accumulator - a register in the CPU that stores the results of calculations
Simulator - a program or system that imitates the behaviour of a real-world process
Common misconception
The CPU decodes and understands the instructions.
The instruction is decoded and then executed. The process only executes the instructions received.
To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: The fetch-execute (FE) cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: The fetch-execute (FE) cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Computer Systems unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Pupils do not require any specific equipment for this lesson.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
directs operations
performs calculations
fast storage
transfers data