Which of the following is not a characteristic of a CISC architecture?

In CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture, one of the primary characteristics is that it typically has a rich and complex instruction set that can perform a wide range of operations using fewer instructions. This complexity often leads to increased instruction set complexity, which allows for multiple addressing modes and enables various operations to be executed in a single instruction.

The statement that less hardware is required is not characteristic of CISC architecture. In fact, CISC systems often require more complex hardware to decode and execute their elaborate instruction sets. The complexity of the instructions usually necessitates advanced hardware mechanisms for handling different addressing modes and performing the intricate operations instructed, rather than limiting hardware requirements.

In contrast, Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture prioritizes simplicity in its instruction set, which often translates to a greater emphasis on optimizations such as speed and efficiency, potentially leading to reduced hardware utilization. This distinction highlights why the assertion about less hardware being required is correctly identified as not characteristic of CISC architectures.