Pipelining in CPUs is a technique used to improve the instruction throughput of a processor by overlapping the execution of multiple instructions. Instead of processing one instruction at a time in a sequential manner, pipelining breaks down the instruction processing into several stages, such as fetch, decode, execute, and write back. Each stage can process a different instruction simultaneously, much like an assembly line in manufacturing.
For example, while one instruction is being executed, another can be decoded, and a third can be fetched from memory. This leads to a significant increase in performance, as the CPU can complete one instruction per clock cycle after the pipeline is filled. However, pipelining also introduces challenges such as hazards (e.g., data hazards, control hazards) which can stall the pipeline and reduce its efficiency. Overall, pipelining is a fundamental technique that enables modern processors to achieve higher performance levels.
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