11. Components of the Processor
The chapter discusses the fundamental architecture of a computer, focusing on the components within a processor, including the control unit, arithmetic logic unit, and main memory. It explains the importance of a programming concept that allows hardware to be flexible and adaptable through software, demonstrating how the operating system functions as an interface between the user and the hardware. The chapter further elucidates the instruction cycle's dual processes of fetching and executing instructions, showcasing the critical operations performed within the CPU.
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What we have learnt
- The main components of a CPU include registers, control unit, and arithmetic logic unit.
- The processor interacts with memory and input/output devices through a system bus.
- A program is a collection of instructions executed sequentially to perform tasks.
Key Concepts
- -- CPU
- The central processing unit, which executes instructions and processes data using an arithmetic logic unit and control unit.
- -- Von Neumann Architecture
- A computer architecture where both instructions and data are stored in the main memory.
- -- Operating System
- Software that manages hardware and software resources, serving as an interface for user programs.
- -- Instruction Cycle
- The cycle that includes fetching an instruction from memory and executing it.
- -- Micro Operations
- Small, simple operations that form the building blocks of the computer's instruction cycle.
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