Address Register

The address register is a hardware component in a computer system that is used to store memory addresses. It is responsible for holding the location of data or instructions in the memory. The size of the address register determines the maximum amount of memory that can be addressed.

16-bit Addresses

In computer systems, memory is typically organized into a series of storage locations, each with a unique address. The size of the address determines the range of memory that can be accessed. A 16-bit address can represent 2^16, or 65,536 different memory locations.

Address Register Options

The question asks which register is used to store the 16-bit addresses, and the correct answer is option 'B' - data pointer. Let's understand why this is the correct answer:

1. Stack Pointer: The stack pointer is a register that keeps track of the top of the stack in the memory. It is used for managing subroutine calls and local variables. However, the stack pointer typically holds a memory address of a specific location in the stack, rather than a general-purpose address.

2. Data Pointer: The data pointer is a register that is commonly used to store memory addresses. It is a general-purpose register that can be used to point to data in memory. Since it is a general-purpose register, it can hold any memory address, including 16-bit addresses.

3. Instruction Register: The instruction register is a register that holds the current instruction being executed by the processor. It does not typically hold memory addresses but rather the actual instructions themselves.

4. Accumulator: The accumulator is a register that is used for arithmetic and logical operations. It holds the intermediate or final results of calculations. It does not typically hold memory addresses.

Conclusion

In summary, the address register used to store 16-bit addresses is the data pointer. It is a general-purpose register that can hold any memory address, allowing it to be used for accessing data or instructions in memory. The other options listed in the question, such as the stack pointer, instruction register, and accumulator, are not typically used for storing memory addresses.