Processor Flashcards
What is the function of the control unit?
The control unit controls the hardware and software devices and performs the fetch, decode, execution cycle.
What are the main components of a processor?
Control unit, buses, arithmetic and logic unit and registers
What is the function of the arithmetic and logic unit?
To perform the arithmetic and logical operations, such as calculations and comparisons
What is the function of regular buses?
A physical pathway used by signals. Used to connect the different parts of the computer and carry data or addresses
What is the function of the control bus?
To carry instructions between the control unit and other components
What is a register?
A discrete memory location within the CPU to be used as a fast-access temporary store for data and instructions.
What type of purpose do registers have?
Registers have specific purposes. E.g, some are used in the fetch, decode execution cycle
What are the two parts of a bus?
An address bus, and a data bus
What is the role of the address bus?
This carries the identification about where the data is being sent/received or where data is stored
What is the role of the data bus?
This carries the actual information
What is a bit?
Short for “binary digit”, smallest unit of data that can be stored by a computer. Represented as a binary no. 1 or 0.
What does it mean when we refer to a Bit?
We are referring to a single binary digit
What is a byte?
A byte contains 8 bits. A single character takes up one byte of storage
What is a word?
A group of bits which are processed as a single unit (all at the same time) by the CPU
