Cycles per instruction

Cycles per instruction refers to the amount of time it takes for a computer to complete a single command or set of instructions. It's like going to the grocery store with a shopping list, except instead of picking out items from shelves, the computer is executing specific tasks. Every time the computer starts and finishes a task, that's called a "cycle".

Now, let's say your shopping list is in order, and you go from one end of the store to the other, picking up items as you go. This is more efficient than going back and forth between aisles. In the same way, some computer instructions take longer to complete than others. For example, loading data from memory may take more time than performing an arithmetic operation.

Cycles per instruction is a way to measure the efficiency of a computer's instruction set. The faster a computer can complete a single instruction, the fewer cycles it will take. This number is important because it helps to determine the overall speed of the computer. In general, a lower CPI means a faster computer.