Question

Consider a branch instruction which is executed 8 × in a program. The actual outcomes of the branch are T, T, T, NT, T, NT, T, NT. What is the sequence of outcomes?

a) T, T, T, NT, T, NT, T, NT
b) T, NT, NT, T, T, T, T, NT
c) NT, T, T, NT, NT, T, T, T
d) NT, NT, NT, T, T, T, T, T

Answer 1

The correct sequence of outcomes for the branch instruction as executed in a program is T, T, T, NT, T, NT, T, NT, mirroring the actual behavior of the branch each time it was encountered.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to a branch instruction in a programming context, specifically the sequence of outcomes when a branch is taken ('T' for true or taken) or not taken ('NT' for not true or not taken). The sequence of outcomes provided in the question is T, T, T, NT, T, NT, T, NT. Therefore, the correct sequence of outcomes for the branch instruction is:

1. T (True or Taken)
2. T (True or Taken)
3. T (True or Taken)
4. NT (Not True or Not Taken)
5. T (True or Taken)
6. NT (Not True or Not Taken)
7. T (True or Taken)
8. NT (Not True or Not Taken)

This sequence reflects the actual behavior of the branch during the eight times it was executed in the program.