CPU’s job?
cpu processes data and instructions to carry out tasks. cpu is where all searching,calculating,sorting and decision making takes place
What does the CPU stand for?
central processing unit
What are the components of the CPU?
- control unit
- buses
- ALU
- dedicated registers
What does CU stand for?
Control unit
function of the CU?
to manage execution of instructions (coordinating and controlling the activities).
controls and monitors hardware
controls input and output of data(so signals go to the right place at the right time)
controls flow of data in CPU
helps to decode instructions
What does ALU stand for?
arithmetic logic unit
what is the ALU responsible for ?
responsible for performing mathematical calculations and logic operations. Also it acts as a gateway to processor
what is a register ?
a high speed storage area in the CPU used for instruction processing
what are the 5 dedicated registers I have to know about?
PC - program counter MAR - memory address register MDR - memory data register CIR - current instruction register ACC - accumulator
Where does the ALU store results ?
In the accumulator
What is role of the PC (program counter)?
contains address of the next instruction to be executed . It can increment
function of MAR
stores memory address from which data will be fetched or sent or stored within secondary storage
function of MDR
stores data being transferred to and from access storage (which is read or will be written)
function of CIR
contains information specifying the instruction being or about to be performed (this is operand and opcode)
function of ACC
stores ALU calculations
What is the opcode?
an opcode is the portion of a machine language instruction that specifies the operation to be performed. This is the operation and addressing mode too.
What is the operand?
part of the instruction that specifies the data or the memory location of the data on which the operation in opcode will be performed.
What is a dedicated register?
used by the processor to carry out a certain corle
What is a general purpose register?
used to hold instructions and data as a temporary measure
What is the clock used for?
sends signals to computer components to synchronise the computer operations
