x

The processor at a glance

Labelled processor diagram showing ALU, control unit, clock, registers, buses, main memory and arrows for the fetch-decode-execute cycle

A processor, or CPU, is the hardware that executes machine-code instructions. In the stored-program concept, instructions and data are both kept in main memory, so the processor repeatedly fetches the next instruction, works out what it means, and carries it out.

x

The processor at a glance

Labelled processor diagram showing ALU, control unit, clock, registers, buses, main memory and arrows for the fetch-decode-execute cycle

A processor, or CPU, is the hardware that executes machine-code instructions. In the stored-program concept, instructions and data are both kept in main memory, so the processor repeatedly fetches the next instruction, works out what it means, and carries it out.

Structure and role of the processor and its components Lesson

Structure and role of the processor and its components Lesson