microprogram
Speech parts
1. microprogram - Noun
2. microprogram - Verb
Meaning
microprogram (plural microprograms)
(computing) a set of microinstructions in a CPU, used to implement machine instructions
microprogram (third-person singular simple present microprograms, present participle microprogramming, simple past and past participle microprogrammed)
(computing) to manually write a microprogram
Synonyms
Related terms
Examples
A 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.
For example, simulators have been used to debug a microprogram or sometimes commercial application programs, before the program is downloaded to the target machine.
A "specialized computer" is usually a conventional computer with special-purpose control logic or microprogram.
Even when the majority of the control store is stored in ROM of some sort, computer vendors often sell writable control store as an option, allowing the customers to customize the machine's microprogram.
A microprogram is much like a player-piano roll.
In some cases the memory that stores the microprogram is rewritable, making it possible to change the way in which the CPU decodes instructions.