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Glite Dictionary
operation code

operation code

5.0
A part of a computer instruction that tells the computer what to do
  • noun
  • /ˌɑpəˈreɪʃən koʊd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : código de operación
  • Among these are questions of whether the two should share the same FPRs, share the same exceptions, and share the same operation codes.
  • a new operation code
  • instruction operation code
  • separate operation codes

Examples

  • For ESA/390, separate operation codes were defined for all three formats to match the implementation of HFP.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Separate operation codes for each format.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The Program Understanding Tool was updated to recognize the new operation codes during program analysis.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Since compiler code generation is heavily table-driven, a separate set of operation codes is not a major issue.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The instruction manual lists each operation code required for the new software update.

  • Understanding the operation code helps programmers know exactly what the computer will execute.

  • When writing machine language, selecting the correct operation code is essential for the program to function.

Synonyms

order code
vsoperation code
  • Specialized
4.9

The part of a computer instruction that tells it which operation to do

is only the specific instruction part and not the whole collection of operations

Antonyms

noop
  • Specialized
9.9

A computer instruction that does nothing

Surface Forms

operation code singular
operation codes plural

Morphology

operation + code

The meaning 'a code that specifies an operation' is directly and compositionally derived from 'operation' (a computational procedure) + 'code' (instructions). Although it's a technical term, the constituents combine in a transparent, cross-linguistically familiar way, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The term operation code comes from early computer instructions: the small part that names the operation the machine must do and is written as a short code. So, it means the part of an instruction that tells which 'operation' the computer should perform.