What Does the CPU Do for a Computer?
The ongoing progress of computer technology is due largely to equally impressive developments in the manufacturing of central processing units, commonly called CPUs. Although available in various types, like 34-bit, quad-core, or Intel, all CPUs serve the same essential purpose: to implement specific instructions that enable a computer to function.
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Definition
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A CPU is an electronic circuit constructed to execute computer programs that allow a computer to perform numerous processes.
Function
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Most CPUS quickly implement four successive processing directives: fetch (retrieve instructions), decode (translate instructions to relevant units of information), execute (perform operations), and writeback (store instruction steps in memory for faster future access).
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Microprocessors
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CPU advancement is directly related to the rapid evolution of microprocessors, which are tiny integrated circuits housed on a single die.
Development
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Moore's Law, published in 1965, predicts that the number of transistors a microchip can hold will double approximately every two years, an accurate observation that explains the accelerated progress of CPU technology.
Considerations
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While "CPU" and "microprocessor" are often used interchangeably, the terms aren't synonymous. Semiconductor company Intel Corporation introduced the first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, in 1971; yet, CPUs existed as early as 1961.
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