What is a microprocessor?
A programmable device that takes in numbers, performs arithmetic or logic operations according to a stored program, and outputs results.
What are the main components of a microprocessor?
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Register Array, and Control Unit (CU).
What are the three main steps in instruction execution?
Fetch → Decode → Execute
What is a program in the context of microprocessors?
A set of instructions that directs the microprocessor to process input data and produce output.
What are the three levels of programming languages?
Machine Language, Assembly Language, High-Level Languages
What is the difference between compiler and interpreter?
A compiler translates all code at once; an interpreter translates line-by-line.
Describe the translation path from source code to executable code.
High-Level Code → Compiler → Assembly → Assembler → Machine Code
What is the hierarchy from physical devices to applications in microprocessor systems?
Transistors → Logic gates → Registers → ALU → CPU → Assembly → High-Level Programs → Applications
What are the basic data types in 8086?
Nibble (4-bit), Byte (8-bit), Word (16-bit), Double Word (32-bit)
How does the CPU interact with memory and I/O?
The CPU communicates through system buses: data, address, and control buses.
What is the range of an 8-bit signed integer?
From -128 to +127.
