The Way Micros Count

Unlike us, microprocessors have not grown up with the idea that 10 is a convenient number of digits to use. We have taken it so much for granted that we have even used the word digit to mean both a finger and a number. Microprocessors and other digital circuits use only two digits – 0 and 1 – but why? Ideally, we would like our microprocessors to do everything at infinite speed and never make a mistake. 

Explanation of Terms in Microprocessor

Before we go on, it is necessary to understand some basic terms.


An Address is a pattern of 0’s and 1 ’s that represents a specific location in memorynor a particular I/O device. Typical 8-bit microprocessors have 16 address lines, and, these 16 lines can produce 216 unique 16-bit patterns from 0000000000000000 to 11 11 1 1 11 1 11 11 11 1, representing 65,536 different address combinations.


Addressing mode is the manner in which the microprocessor determines the operand (data) and destination addresses during execution of an instruction.

Introducing to Microprocessor

Digital systems are designed to store, process, and communicate information in digital form.

They are found in a wide range of applications, including process control, communication systems, digital instruments, and consumer products. A digital computer, more commonly called simply a computer, is an example of a typical digital system.

A computer manipulates information in digital or more precisely, binary form. A binary number has only two discrete values: zero or one. Each discrete value is represented by the OFF and ON status of an electronic switch called a transistor.