Central processing units or CPUs are components of computer hardware which act like the computer's brain. They are the most important part which read the various instructions given by the computer programs and then process the data.
Central Processing Unit and Microprocessor:
A Central processing unit that has only one integrated circuit is called a microprocessor . The term central processing unit has been used from the 1960's. The design and structure of traditional central processing units have changed since its introduction. The first CPUs were usually custom designed in a costly way. With the use of integrated circuit (IC) very complex central processing units can be created in small spaces. Today microprocessors are found in cell phones, vehicles and even in toys. The very first microprocessor was Intel 4004 which was introduced in 1970. With the popularity of personal computers, now a microprocessor is synonymous with a central processing unit .
Central Processing Unit Operation:
The function of almost all central processing units is to carry out a series of accumulated instructions which is known as a program. The operation is carried out in 4 steps:
• First, it retrieves a given instruction in the form of numbers from the program.
• The instruction is then decoded or broken into various parts.
• In the next execution step the separate parts are joined in order to perform a required operation.
• The concluding step is “write back” in which the results of the operation are “written” as memory.
It can be said that the central processing units are the most vital components of computers.
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