The purpose of the CPU
The Central processing unit - the brain of the computer that processes program instructions. is the most important The physical parts of a computer system, eg a graphics card, hard disk drive or CD drive. component in a computer. It has two main functions:
- to process Units of information. In computing there can be different data types, including integers, characters and Boolean. Data is often acted on by instructions. and A single action that can be performed by a computer processor.
- to control the rest of the computer system
All programs and data processing are run in the CPU and all hardware components are, to some extent, controlled by it.
All A computer designed to be able to carry out a wide range of instructions. follow the same basic model. This diagram illustrates the flow of data within a computer.
The CPU receives instructions and data from an Data which is inserted into a system for processing and/or storage. or The part of a computer that stores data.. The instructions and data are processed by the CPU and the results are either sent to an Data which is sent out of a system. or transferred to Non-volatile memory external to the CPU and used for long-term storage of programs and data.. Data is held in The part of a computer that stores data. while it is being processed.
Input is received from an A device used to input data or information into a computer, eg a keyboard, mouse, scanner or microphone. such as a keyboard, mouse, camera or scanner. Output is sent to an A device used to output data or information from a computer, eg a monitor, printer or speakers. such as a monitor, printer or speaker.
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