Definition
Execute Stage
The execute stage is the pipeline stage in which the main operation of an instruction is carried out.
For example, the ALU may perform an arithmetic or logical operation, compute an address, or evaluate a branch condition.
Role
Typical tasks
Depending on the instruction, the execute stage may:
- compute an arithmetic result;
- compute a memory address;
- decide whether a branch is taken.
This is why control hazards often depend on the execute stage: for a branch, the processor may only know here whether control flow changes.