Answered: Explain what it means for an…

7th Edition

ISBN:9780133594140

Author:James Kurose, Keith Ross

Publisher:James Kurose, Keith Ross

Chapter1: Computer Networks And The Internet

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem R1RQ: What is the difference between a host and an end system? List several different types of end...

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Question

Explain what it means for an instruction set to be orthogonal.

Expert Solution

Step 1: Explanation

Completeness is a necessary quality of an instruction set. However, redundancy must also be avoided to maintain efficiency.
Hence, in an ideal situation, each instruction would serve a unique purpose.
This characteristic of uniqueness is known as orthogonal.
But there is another criterion. Consistency is another requirement of every instruction in the instruction set besides its independence of other instructions.
Orthogonal determines the uniformity in the availability of operands and addressing modes across various operations. This implies that the operands should not have a bearing on their addressing modes.
Orthogonal demands a level of symmetry in the operand-opcode relationship.
Suppose an instruction set possessed a multiply command but did not possess a divide command, then that instruction set would not be orthogonal.
Constructing the compiler is certainly easier for an orthogonal language.
Long words, though implies lengthier programs and therefore an increase in storage capacity is the downside of an orthogonal set.