== Description ==
The 6502 microprocessor is an 8-bit CPU with an 8-bit ALU and a 16-bit address bus capable of direct access to 64KB of memory space. The 6502 is an 8-bit CPU in the purest sense. Unlike the Z80, the 6502 does not have any 16-bit instructions and cannot pair it's registers. To work with a 16-bit number you will need to split it in two and work with each half individually. Like the Z80, the 6502 is a little-endian CPU, meaning it stores reads 16-bit values with the least significant byte first, followed by the most significant byte. The 6502 has 151 instructions, which are composed of 56 distinct opcodes across various addressing modes.
Although it lacks the raw processing power of processors like the Intel 80x86 or the Motorola 68000 series, the 6502 was known for its efficiency and affordability, making it a popular choice for embedded systems and early home computers. Its simple design contributed to lower manufacturing costs and simplified integration.