A computer processor, also known as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), is the brain of a computer. It performs all the calculations and operations required by the software running on the computer. The first step in the process is called "fetch." The CPU fetches an instruction from the memory. This instruction tells the CPU what to do next. For example, it might be an instruction to add two numbers together. Once the instruction has been fetched, the CPU needs to decode it. This means breaking it down into smaller parts that can be understood by the CPU. After decoding the instruction, the CPU can execute it. This means carrying out the actual operation specified by the instruction. Finally, the result of the operation is written back into memory. Overall, these four steps - fetch, decode, execute, and writeback - are repeated millions of times per second as the CPU processes instructions from different programs running on the computer.
How does a computer processor work?
A computer processor, also known as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), is the brain of a computer. It performs all the calculations and operations required by the software running on the computer. Here's how it works:
Fetch
The first step in the process is called "fetch." The CPU fetches an instruction from the memory. This instruction tells the CPU what to do next. For example, it might be an instruction to add two numbers together.
Decode
Once the instruction has been fetched, the CPU needs to decode it. This means breaking it down into smaller parts that can be understood by the CPU. For example, if the instruction was to add two numbers together, the CPU would need to know which two numbers to use.
Execute
After decoding the instruction, the CPU can execute it. This means carrying out the actual operation specified by the instruction. In our example, this would involve adding the two numbers together.
Writeback
Finally, the result of the operation is written back into memory. This means updating any registers or variables that were affected by the operation. For example, if we added two numbers together, we would update the value of one of those variables with the result of the addition.
Overall, these four steps - fetch, decode, execute, and writeback - are repeated millions of times per second as the CPU processes instructions from different programs running on the computer.