cpu

• CPU is the major component which interprets and executes software instructions.
• It also control the operation of all other components such as memory, input and output units.
• It accepts binary data as input, process the data according to the instructions and provide the result as output.
• The CPU has three components which are Control unit, Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) and Memory unit

Arithmetic and Logic Unit

• The ALU is a part of the CPU where various computing functions are performed on data.
• The ALU performs arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and logical operations.
• The result of an operation is stored in internal memory of CPU.
• The logical operations of ALU promote the decision-making ability of a computer.

Control Unit

• The control unit controls the flow of data between the CPU, memory and I/O devices.
• It also controls the entire operation of a computer.

Output Unit

• An Output Unit is any hardware component that conveys information to users in an understandable form.
• Example: Monitor, Printer etc.

Memory Unit

The Memory Unit is of two types

• Primary memory - RAM

• Secondary memory - ROM

• The primary memory is used to temporarily store the programs and data when the instructions are ready to execute.

• The secondary memory is used to store the data permanently.

• The Primary Memory is volatile, that is, the content is lost when the power supply is switched off.

• The Secondary memory is non volatile, that is, the content is available even after the power supply is switched off.