Exam-style question
Try this first
Explain the difference between immediate addressing and direct addressing. Include what the operand means in each mode and explain how a register or a main-memory location may be involved.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- In immediate addressing, the operand is the datum itself, so the processor can use that value directly.
- In direct addressing, the operand is the address of the datum.
- That address may identify a location in main memory or a register, where the processor obtains the datum.
Explanation
Why this works
A complete answer distinguishes the meaning of the operand rather than merely stating that the two modes are different. It should identify immediate addressing as containing the value and direct addressing as identifying where the value is stored.
The specified address may refer to either main memory or a register.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.