Capterra Glossary
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)
Complex instruction set computer (CISC) is a type of computing system architecture that is packed with every possible instruction a computer could be expected to use. Since all functions are stored within one computing system, functions may run slowly. Also, each function has numerous steps, which further slows the computing speed. CISC is considered an outdated architecture. Its modern alternative is reduced instruction set computer (RISC). In RISC computing setups with high volumes of functions, each function is more efficient with fewer steps.
What Small and Midsize Businesses Need to Know About CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)
SMBs that have been in business for years may still have some CISC processors in their computing systems. The advantages of CISC architecture include relatively low memory usage and ease of use for tasks such as adding additional instructions into codes.
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