Which operation is performed last in the instruction cycle?

The last operation performed in the instruction cycle is executing the instruction. The instruction cycle consists of several key steps: fetching the instruction from memory, decoding it to understand what action is required, and then executing the instruction itself.

During the fetch phase, the CPU retrieves the instruction from the memory address specified by the program counter. In the decode phase, the CPU interprets or translates the fetched instruction into a format that can be understood. Finally, during the execution phase, the CPU carries out the instruction, which could involve performing calculations, moving data, or affecting control flows.

This execution step is crucial because it represents the actual processing of the instruction, which is the core purpose of the instruction cycle. Hence, executing the instruction is the final stage that wraps up the cycle and sets the stage for the next instruction to begin the cycle anew.