NEW FAQ on RISC vs CISC. Please Advise!

[butchrecon]

Hello everyone. Lately I have notice that a lot of questions are being asked about the Difference between AMD/INTEL and RISC/CISC. Please review the FAQ I created for this question and let me know if there is anything that needs added or can be changed to enlighten those who want to understand. Your input would be appreciated.

Thank You

FAQ faq602-788 James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[bjverzal]

My only suggestion (minor) is that I always thought *ISC was defined as

Reduced/Complex Instruction Set ComputING (not ComputER)...

Thoughts ?

BV

 

[butchrecon]

Nope Its Computer. So far I have not found anything that states otherwise. Will do more research but thats what it appears to be. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[bjverzal]

FYI - according to Websters dictionary:

One entry found for RISC.

Main Entry: RISC
Function: abbreviation

reduced instruction-set computer; reduced instruction-set computing

It looks like either one will work.

 

[butchrecon]

Cool I will add that. Thanks for the help. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[pebe]

I believe the first RISC was the Transputer, developed about 20 years ago. It was described then as a Reduced Instruction Set Computer.

 

[bjverzal]

Let's be sure we don't get all caught up in this...it would seem that either one works - after all, a "Reduced Instruction Set Computer" requires "Reduced Instruction Set Computing" to perform its' tasks. One is a noun, one is a verb. They both describe the same task though.

The bigger picture is the FAQ. Outside of this one teeny-tiny issue, I found the FAQ to be quite good.

Bill.