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A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor, or just processor, is the most important processor in a given computer. [1] [2] Its electronic circuitry executes instructions of a computer program, such as arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations.
In computing and computer science, a processor or processing unit is an electrical component (digital circuit) that performs operations on an external data source, usually memory or some other data stream. [1]
Apple M1 system on a chip A system on a chip from Broadcom in a Raspberry Pi. A system on a chip or system-on-chip (SoC / ˌ ˈ ɛ s oʊ s iː /; pl. SoCs / ˌ ˈ ɛ s oʊ s iː z /) is an integrated circuit that integrates most or all components of a computer or electronic system.
PDP-11 CPU board. Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), motherboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, and computer case. It includes external devices such as a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers. [1] [2]
The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) that directs the operation of the processor. A CU typically uses a binary decoder to convert coded instructions into timing and control signals that direct the operation of the other units (memory, arithmetic logic unit and input and output devices, etc.).
A common trait observed among processes associated with most computer programs is that they alternate between CPU cycles and I/O cycles. For the portion of the time required for CPU cycles, the process is being executed and is occupying the CPU. During the time required for I/O cycles, the process is not using the processor.
A multiprocessor system is defined as "a system with more than one processor", and, more precisely, "a number of central processing units linked together to enable parallel processing to take place".
The instruction cycle (also known as the fetch–decode–execute cycle, or simply the fetch–execute cycle) is the cycle that the central processing unit (CPU) follows from boot-up until the computer has shut down in order to process instructions. It is composed of three main stages: the fetch stage, the decode stage, and the execute stage.