What is an opcode?

Assembly Language Questions



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What is an opcode?

An opcode, short for "operation code," is a fundamental component of machine language and assembly language programming. It is a binary code that represents a specific operation or instruction that the computer's central processing unit (CPU) can execute. The opcode instructs the CPU on what operation to perform, such as arithmetic calculations, data movement, or control flow instructions. Each opcode corresponds to a specific operation, and the CPU interprets and executes the corresponding instruction based on the opcode provided.