Abstract: Methods and apparatus for realizing a high performance interface between a processor, constituting part of a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) system, and a set of devices, including memory means. According to the invention, the interface includes three independent buses. A shared processor output bus, a processor input instruction bus, and a bidirectional data bus. The shared processor output address bus coupled the processor and the computer's memory. This bus carries both instructon and data access signals being transmitted by the processor to the memory. The processor input instruction bus also couples the processor and the computer's memory means, but carries instruction signals being transmitted from the memory to the processor. The bidirectional data bus provides a signal path for carrying data signals being transmitted by the memory to the processor and vice-a-versa.