This comparison covers Comparison: PC vs ACC within Program Counter & Accumulator for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Program Counter & Accumulator in 3.4 Computer Systems for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 8 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Comparison: PC vs ACC
| Aspect | Program Counter (PC) | Accumulator (ACC) |
|---|---|---|
| What it holds | Memory address (of next instruction) | Data value (result of calculation) |
| When it changes | During FETCH stage (increments) | During EXECUTE stage (result stored) |
| Change type | Usually +1 (sequential) or jump to new address | Overwritten with new result |
| Purpose | Track program flow / which instruction is next | Store intermediate calculation results |
| Controlled by | Control Unit (increments) or branch instructions | ALU (writes results) |
Practice questions for Program Counter & Accumulator
What does the Program Counter (PC) store?
Explain what happens to the Program Counter during the fetch stage of the FDE cycle.
Quick recall flashcards
What does ACC stand for?
Accumulator
What does PC stand for?
Program Counter