Processors



Central Processing Unit also known as the the heart and brain of a computer system.

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WHAT IS A PROCESSOR??
=A processor is the logic circuitry that processes the simple instructions that run the computer. The term processor is a shortened word for central processing unit (CPU). The processor in a personal computer or put in small devices is often called a microprocessor.=

=DIFFERENT NAMES FOR PROCESSORS...= =CPU- a centrel processing unit is the component in a digital computer that is capable of executing a program. It processes data and interprets computer program instructions.= =MICROPROCESSOR- a microprocessor is a programmable digital electronic element that incorprates the functions of a CPU on a single semiconductor microchip.=

THE FUNCTION OF A PROCESSOR...
The processor, is like the computers brain, it does all of the computer activity a computer does, it does all the thinking for the computer. The processor sometimes is just simply referred to as a processor or a central processor. The CPU is where all the calculations take place. The CPU is the most important part of the computer system. A CPU basically is like a calculator except much more powerful. The main function of a CPU is to calculate and perform arithmetic and logical operations on information taken from the memory or the information entered through some device attached to the computer, for example the keyboard, a scanner, or a joystick. The CPU is controlled by a list of software instructions, called the computer program (a set of instructions that direct a computer to perform some processing function or a combination of functions.

HOW DO PROCESSORS WORK?? [[image:mb.gif align="right"]]
--Central Processing Unit -buses -ports and controllers -ROM --Main memory (RAM) --Input devices --Output devices --Secondary storage -floppy disks -hard disk -CD-ROM

This picture shows the inside of a motherboard and how the memory gets transported around the computer harddrive from the processor (chip).

The CPU is controlled by a list of software instructions called a computer program, the software instructions entering through the CPU originate in some form of memory sotrage device like a floppy disk or a hard disk or a CD-ROM. Then these instructions pass into the computers main RAM (random access memory), this is where each instruction is given a specific address, or a memory location. The CPU can access specific things of data in RAM by specifying the address of the data it wants. As the program is executed, the data flow from the RAM through an interface of wires called a bus, this links the CPU to the RAM. All the data are then decoded by and instruction decoder that explains and carries out software instructions. Then form there the dat passes to the arithmatic and logic unit which carries out calculations and comparisons. The data may be stored by the ALU (arithmatic and logical units) in temporary memory locations where it may be collected quickly. The ALU carries out specific operations such as; addition, multiplication, and other conditional tests, sending the resulting data back to the RAM. During this process, a unit called the program counter keeps track of every successful instruction to make sure that the instuctions are followed by the CPU instructions in the correct order.