The M80C286 is upward compatible with M8086 and M8088 software. Using M8086 real address mode, the M80C286 is object code compatible with existing M8086, M8088 software. In protected virtual address mode, the M80C286 is source code compatible with M8086, M8088 software which may require upgrading to use virtual addresses supported by the M80C286's integrated memory management and protection mechanism. Both modes operate at full M80C286 performance and execute a superset of the M8086 and M8088 instructions.
The M80C286 provides special operations to support the efficient implementation and execution of operating systems. For example, one instruction can end execution of one task, save its state, switch to a new task, load its state, and start execution of the new task. The M80C286 also supports virtual memory systems by providing a segment-not-present exception and restartable instructions.
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