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  • Step 1: The original definition of a computer processor was any machine that could perform arithmetic and logic functions. Today a computer processor is usually defined as a microprocessor chip, or CPU, that executes commands and runs computer programs. One of the biggest manufacturers of microprocessors is the Intel Corporation. Typical computer programs that must be processed by CPUs include internet browsers, word processors, and image manipulation software. Computer processors perform four basic functions to process data and run computer programs.

Fetch
  • Step 1: Every instruction that a CPU processes is represented by a series of numbers. Once initiated, the numbers representing the requested action are stored in memory. The CPU then fetches or retrieves the instruction from program memory. A program counter, or PC, keeps track of the computer processor's location in the active program. If the memory is slow, the CPU may stall while waiting for the instruction to be returned.

Decode
  • Step 1: The CPU then analyzes the instruction it fetched and decides how it should be processed. Typically a particular group of numbers in the instruction indicate which operation to perform, and in what sequence. In more advanced CPUs, a microprogram may also be used to help decode instructions for the computer processor. CPU microprograms can sometimes be modified (from the factory default) to change the way the processor translates instructions.

Execute
  • Step 1: Depending on the action required, the CPU then sends segments of the original instruction to the most appropriate section of the processor. For example, if additional actions are requested, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is attached to a group of inputs and outputs. The inputs provide the numbers to be processed, and the outputs contain the final sum or response to the request.

Writeback
  • Step 1: After executing the instruction, the processor writes the results back into memory. Sometimes the results are written to an internal register for quick access, while in other cases the results are written directly to the main memory. After the instruction has been executed and written to memory, the process repeats by fetching the next instruction value in the program counter. In more advanced computer processors, it is possible for multiple commands to be fetched, decoded, and executed simultaneously.



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What is the difference between transistor and processor?

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What is difference between scalar and super scalar processor?

Differences between scalar and superscalar processors generally boil down to quantity and speed. A scalar processor, considered to be the simplest of all processors, works on one or two computer data items at a given time. The superscalar processor works on multiple instructions and several groups of multiple data items at a time. Scalar and superscalar processors both function the same way in terms of how they manipulate data, but their difference lies in how many manipulations and data items they can work on in a given time. Superscalar processors can handle multiple instructions and data items, while the scalarprocessor simply cannot, therefore making the former a more powerful processor than the latter. Scalar and superscalar processors both have some similarities with vector processors. Like ascalar processor, a vector processor also executes a single instruction at a time, but instead of just manipulating one data item, its single instruction can access multiple data items. Similar with the superscalar processor, a vector processor has several redundant functional units that let it manipulate multiple data items, but it can only work on a single instruction at a time. In essence, a superscalar processor is a combination of a scalar processor and a vector processor.

Related questions

Is a calculator considered a data processor?

Yes, a calculator is considered a data processor. Anything that can use or hold data is considered to be a data processor. So yes, a calculator is a data processor.


Inside the processor housing data instructions addresses and control signals travel on the bus?

Internal Bus


Is a processor an input or output device?

Input in the sense that it helps process data/information around the system AFAP but output in the sense that the data/information is to the processor and they do the work from there.


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Data run's through a processor CPU = Core Processing Unit but yes CPU is the same thing as a Processor or ''Data Processor''


What is a computer why it is known as data processor?

A computer is known as a data processor because that's what it does. Process data (programs)


How does data travel around a bus network?

bits


What is the function of processor on motherboard?

function of the processor is to process data


Additional data and programs not being used by the processor are stored in?

Additional data and programs not being used by the processor are stored in


What is register data transfer in computer system?

Hi, As we all know, each computer has a processor and each processor has some registers to store the data which are being processed by the processor. Sometimes processor needs to copy/move data from one register to another to make space for new data. This data transfer between registers is called register data transfer. I hope this will help. Thanks,


The portion of the system bus that transports data into the processor?

Data path


What does PDP stands for in PDP-8?

PDP stands for Programmed Data Processor. Therefore, it means Programmed Data Processor-8. :p


What type of speed does a CPU process data?

It all depends on the speed of the processor. For an example, my processor runs at a speed of around 3.3 GHz This means that it performs 3.3 billion processes a second.