Computer Science GCSE
Program Counter
What Program Counter means in Computer Science GCSE, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Program Counter
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Program Counter in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
Holds the address of the next instruction; during the fetch stage its value is copied to the MAR and it is then incremented.
Topics that use Program Counter
- Architecture of the CPU (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- CPU purpose
- Execute stage
- Fetch stage
- MAR (Memory Address Register)
- Von Neumann architecture
- ALU operations
- Cache performance
- Control unit coordination
Using Program Counter in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
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