The instruction format defines how instructions are structured for the CPU to interpret and execute. Common components of an instruction format include:

• Opcode: Specifies the operation (e.g., addition, subtraction).
• Operands: Data to be processed by the operation.
• Addressing Modes: Dictate how the CPU locates operands.

In MCA, understanding different instruction formats is essential for designing and interpreting machine language instructions, enabling students to optimize CPU efficiency and functionality.