Parts of the Processor
By Innes MacKintosh
The Processor
The Processor (also known as the CPU) is essentially the brain of the computer. It processes all the calculations, performs all the tasks and executes all the commands that the user wants it to. Processors can perform billions of calculations every second.
The Control Unit
The Control Unit (or CU) gathers instructions, understands them, then carries out that instruction. It is responsible for running programs that are loaded into the main memory.
The Arithmetic and Logic Unit
The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (or ALU) carries out all the calculations necessary for the computer's processes. It also uses logical operators such as AND, OR and NOT.
Registers
Registers are temporary memory locations within the CPU. They are used to store information relevant to the current tasks being carried out.