CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• Arithmetic Logic Unit + Control Unit
  • Used so frequently together
  • Make up the CPU
• Made from small silicon chips with millions of transistors
• n-bit processor
  • n refers to number of bits in the CPU general registers
  • Two n-bit numbers can be added with a single instruction
  • Can also refer to the width of the address bus
    • Is the size of addressable memory, but not always
  • Can also refer to the width of the data bus
    • But not always
• Electronics of the CPU inherently recognize binary representations of commands
  • Doesn't need to consult a list of commands
  • CPU embodies the list in its design
• Each CPU has its own machine language
• Has a clock which emits regular pulses

Computer Science Computer Hardware von Neumann Architecture