Does MAX return 0 or 1?
No. It returns the original XLEN-bit value selected from rs1 or rs2 by the comparison rule.
MAX
RISC-V MAX Instruction Details
Instruction ManualR-typeReturn the maximum of rs1 and rs2 using signed comparison.
Instruction Syntax
max rd, rs1, rs2
Operand Breakdown
Destination rd: register receiving the operation result.
Source rs1: register holding the first operand.
Source rs2: register holding the second operand.
BZbbBit ManipulationInteger Operation
Instruction Behavior
MAX is a Zbb integer min/max instruction. It compares x[rs1] and x[rs2] as signed values and writes the original XLEN-bit value that is larger under that ordering to rd.
MAX Decode And Execute Animation
Starts with machine-code field decoding, then shows operand reads, instruction-specific execution, and ISA-visible state update.
rd
rs1
rs2
max
,
,
Execution Context
a6(x16)
0xFFFFFFF0
sp(x2)
0x00000002
31..25
24..20
19..15
14..12
11..7
6..0
0000101
funct7
00010
rs2
10000
rs1
110
funct3
00101
rd
0110011
opcode
Execution Data Path
instruction
0x0A2862B3
opcode
0110011 -> OP
funct3
110 -> MAX
funct7
0000101 -> Zbb MIN/MAX selector
rd / rs1 / rs2
t0(x5) / a6(x16) / sp(x2)
integer comparison and selection
signed: 0xFFFFFFF0 (-16) >= 0x00000002 (2) -> select rs2 = 0x00000002
x5
t0(x5) = 0x00000002
Current Step
Concept Step: receive the 32-bit instruction encoding
The machine code is split by the current instruction format; the animation starts from encoding/decode.
encoding: 0x0A2862B3
syntax : max t0(x5), a6(x16), sp(x2)
result : t0(x5) = 0x00000002
Architectural Result
t0(x5) = 0x00000002
This animation shows ISA-visible decode and state changes, not any specific CPU pipeline, cache, prediction, or timing implementation.
Quick Understanding & Search Notes
MAX selects between rs1 and rs2 using signed ordering and returns the selected original XLEN-bit pattern, not a comparison bit.
Forms with U use unsigned ordering; forms without U use two's-complement signed ordering.
MAX operands and result are XLEN-wide integer-register values.
Common Usage Scenarios
Integer Comparison
Understand this scenario with real code like «max x10, x11, x12 ; x10 = signed_max(x11, x12)».
Integer Min/Max
Understand this scenario with real code like «max x10, x11, x12 ; x10 = signed_max(x11, x12)».
Pre-Use Checklist
Syntax Check
- Verify rd, rs1, rs2 (and rs3) are valid GPRs.
- Confirm funct3 and funct7 encoding is correct.
Semantic Check
- Check if the result affects subsequent branches or address calculations.
- Ensure the rd register is not overwritten by another instruction.
Pitfalls / Common Confusions
MAX uses signed comparison; use MAXU for unsigned comparisons.
The result is the selected original register value, not Boolean 0/1.
MAX and MAXU differ only in comparison signedness; the selected original bit pattern is written.
FAQ
How do I choose between MAX and MAXU?
Use the non-U form for signed two's-complement ordering; use the U form when data is ordered as unsigned.