Final answer:
The correct MARIE instruction being carried out by the RTN statement is D) Jump X, as it involves setting the Program Counter to a specific address X, essentially jumping to that location to continue program execution after completing a subroutine. The correct answer is option C) Load X
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which MARIE instruction corresponds to the RTN statement in assembly language programming, which involves setting the Program Counter (PC) to a specific address X. The RTN (Return) instruction is often used at the end of a subroutine to return execution to the calling program, and part of what it does is similar to a Jump X instruction, where the PC is set to the address X.
So the correct answer to the question, "Which MARIE instruction is being carried out by the RTN statement that follows? PC ← X", is D) Jump X. This is because the RTN instruction is functionally restoring the PC to the return address that was saved earlier during the subroutine call, effectively jumping to that location to continue execution after the subroutine has been completed. The instructions A) Store X, B) JnS X, and C) Load X, all perform different operations that are not related to setting the PC to the address X.
The MARIE instruction set is designed to be simple and understand which helps students learn the basics of computer architecture and machine language. By associating the RTN statement with the Jump X instruction, students can better understand how control flows within a program, especially when dealing with subroutines.