The statement "Processing speed of a computer is measured in MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second)" is considered correct or incorrect in computer performance terminology?

Introduction / Context:
Measuring the performance of a computer's central processing unit involves quantifying how many instructions it can execute in a given time. One traditional metric used in textbooks is MIPS, which stands for Millions of Instructions Per Second. This question tests whether you recognise MIPS as a valid measure of processing speed.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The statement under evaluation is "Processing speed of a computer is measured in MIPS."
• MIPS explicitly means Millions of Instructions Per Second.
• We must decide whether this statement is correct or incorrect in basic computer terminology.
• We assume general CPU performance evaluation, not specialised external devices.

Concept / Approach:
MIPS is a commonly cited unit for CPU performance and indicates how many million machine level instructions the processor can execute in one second. While modern performance analysis uses more sophisticated benchmarks, MIPS remains a valid traditional unit for expressing processing speed. It is not used to measure printer output or display quality, and it does not apply specifically to analog computers.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the definition of MIPS: Millions of Instructions Per Second. Step 2: This unit directly relates to how quickly a CPU can process instructions, which is a key part of processing speed. Step 3: Many computer architecture references list MIPS values for various processors as an approximate speed measure. Step 4: Therefore, the statement that processing speed is measured in MIPS is consistent with basic computer fundamentals. Step 5: Printers are measured using units such as pages per minute or dots per inch, not MIPS. Step 6: Dot matrix displays and analog computers use very different performance measures and are not the typical context for MIPS. Step 7: Thus, classifying the statement as correct is appropriate in the exam context.

Verification / Alternative check:
Older processor specifications and educational texts often include tables comparing CPU performance using MIPS ratings. They may state that one processor achieves, for example, 5 MIPS while another can reach 20 MIPS under certain conditions. These references explain that MIPS is a rough measure but still a recognised unit for CPU speed. This confirms that the statement in the question aligns with common terminology.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Saying the statement is incorrect would deny that MIPS is a valid measure, which conflicts with its long established use in computing literature. Options linking MIPS to printers, displays or analog computers are misleading because those devices use different metrics such as pages per minute, dots per inch or special analog performance measures. MIPS is specifically about instruction execution speed in digital processors.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse MIPS with other acronyms or emphasise more modern metrics like gigahertz. To avoid confusion, remember that clock speed in hertz measures cycles per second, while MIPS measures instructions per second. Although MIPS has limitations as a precise benchmark, it remains a correct and widely taught unit for describing processing speed in basic computer courses.

Final Answer:
The statement that processing speed of a computer is measured in MIPS is Correct.