A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

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Prepare for the A Level Computer Science OCR Exam with engaging quiz questions and interactive flashcards. Get ready to excel in your exam with comprehensive study materials designed to bolster your knowledge and confidence.

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What is the purpose of the Program Counter (PC) within the CPU?

To store the data being processed
To hold the address of the next instruction to be fetched
To manage the CPU's memory data
To keep track of control signals

The correct answer is: To hold the address of the next instruction to be fetched

The Program Counter (PC) plays a vital role in the operation of the CPU by holding the address of the next instruction that needs to be fetched and executed. This ensures that the CPU can execute instructions in a sequential manner, following the flow of a program. Each time an instruction is fetched, the Program Counter is updated to point to the subsequent instruction, enabling the CPU to keep track of its position in the program. This functionality is essential for the correct execution of programs, as it allows for not only linear instruction sequences but also for branching and jumping to different instructions based on program control constructs. The PC reliably ensures that the CPU operates in the intended order, enabling efficient program execution.