1. microcode - Noun
2. microcode - Verb
(computer science) coded instructions that are stored permanently in read-only memory
Source: WordNetA CPU that uses microcode generally takes several clock cycles to execute a single instruction, one clock cycle for each step in the microprogram for that instruction. Source: Internet
An 8080 CPU loads the microcode from an RM03, RM80, or RP06 disk or magnetic tape and then starts the main processor. Source: Internet
As transistors became cheaper, horizontal microcode came to dominate the design of CPUs using microcode, with vertical microcode being used less often. Source: Internet
Because of its close relationship to the underlying architecture, "microcode has several properties that make it difficult to generate using a compiler." Source: Internet
Disk I/O was handled by multitasking at the microcode level. Source: Internet
Even late in the design process, microcode could easily be changed, whereas hard-wired CPU designs were very cumbersome to change. Source: Internet