Final answer:
It is true that the MIPS instruction set compromises on instruction size for simplicity and regularity, using a fixed 32-bit instruction length for easier decoding and execution.
Therefore, the correct answer is: option a) true.
Step-by-step explanation:
MIPS is a family of reduced instruction set computer instruction set architectures developed by MIPS Computer Systems, now MIPS Technologies, based in the United States. There are multiple versions of MIPS: including MIPS I, II, III, IV, and V; as well as five releases of MIPS32/64.
MIPS architecture is designed around a fixed instruction length of 32 bits to ensure that every instruction fits neatly into a single word.
This fixed length simplifies the design of the hardware, particularly the instruction decoding stage, since every instruction is fetched and executed in a highly standardized and predictable way.
Furthermore, it facilitates the implementation of a pipeline architecture, enhancing the processor's ability to execute multiple instructions simultaneously.