Definition
Program Counter
The program counter (PC) is a processor register storing the address of the next instruction to be fetched or executed. Also called the instruction pointer.
Behaviour
Sequential Execution
PC is incremented after each instruction fetch, proceeding to the next instruction in memory.
Control Transfer
Jump, branch, call, and return instructions modify the PC explicitly, changing execution flow.
Machine State
Together with registers, memory, and flags, the PC forms part of the current machine state of a running program.