3.1 · Lesson 1 of 7
Von Neumann and the FDE cycle
Syllabus 3.1.3
What this lesson covers
- Describe the fetch–decode–execute cycle
Key vocabulary
- Von Neumann architecture
- A computer design where program instructions and data are stored together in the same memory.
- Stored program concept
- The idea that program instructions are stored in memory, along with the data they use.
- Fetch–decode–execute cycle
- The process the CPU repeats to carry out each instruction in a program.
- Fetch
- The next instruction is copied from memory (RAM) into the CPU.
- Decode
- The control unit works out what the instruction means.
- Execute
- The instruction is carried out.
- RAM
- Main memory, where the instructions and data being used are stored.
Check your learning
- Quick check: 4 questions
- Key vocabulary test: 7 terms
- Activity 1: The FDE cycle · 8 questions
- Activity 2: Von Neumann quiz · 8 questions
- Activity 3: Order the fetch stage · drag and drop