THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

CONTENT

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Functions of ALU and Control Unit
• Control Unit

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the portion of a computer system that executes the instructions of a computer program, and is the primary element carrying out the functions of the computer or other processing device. The Central Processing Unit carries out each instruction of the program in sequence, perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system.

Also, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the part of a computer that thinks, calculates and carries out instruction. It is also called the brain of the computer. It is sometimes called the Central Processor or simply the Processor.

A computer can have more than one CPU; this is called multiprocessing. The CPU can be found in the motherboard. All the functions of the CPU are stored in a component called the chip.

Components of the CPU

CPU consists of two main units namely the;

(i) Arithmetic Logic Unit

(ii) Control Unit 

EVALUATION

1. In your own words, define the CPU.