Changes

A microprocessor is '''any''' processor implemented on a single integrated circuit, however most microprocessors are CPUs. The largest producer of microprocessors used in general-purpose computers is [[Intel]].

A microprocessor is '''any''' processor implemented on a single integrated circuit, however most microprocessors are CPUs. The largest producer of microprocessors used in general-purpose computers is [[Intel]].

== Operation ==

== Operation ==

The basic operation of a CPU is the "Fetch, Decode, Execute" cycle.<ref>[http://www.it.jcu.edu.au/Subjects/cp1300/resources/lectnotes/system/fde.html Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle]</ref>  The ''instruction fetcher'' fetches instructions from memory.  The ''control logic'' decodes and executes the instruction.  The ALU is used to perform arithmetic and logical operations such as adding a value in memory to a value in a register and storing the result in another register.  On some CPUs, some instructions may require additional fetches from memory (e.g., to get or store operands).  A program in memory is executed sequentially, with each instruction stored in a different memory location.  The instruction pointer (IP) register keeps tracks of the current program position, and is updated (usually incremented) after each CPU cycle.

The basic operation of a CPU is the "Fetch, Decode, Execute" cycle.<ref>[http://www.it.jcu.edu.au/Subjects/cp1300/resources/lectnotes/system/fde.html Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle]</ref>  The ''instruction fetcher'' fetches instructions from memory.  The ''control logic'' decodes and executes the instruction.  The ALU is used to perform arithmetic and logical operations such as adding a value in memory to a value in a register and storing the result in another register.  On some CPUs, some instructions may require additional fetches from memory (e.g., to get or store operands).  A program in memory is executed sequentially, with each instruction stored in a different memory location.  The instruction pointer (IP) register keeps tracks of the current program position, and is updated (usually incremented) after each CPU cycle.

* [http://epic.org/privacy/privacy_resources_faq.html Online Guide to Privacy Resources]<ref>"EPIC was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging privacy issues relating to the National Information Infrastructure, such as the Clipper Chip, the Digital Telephony proposal, medical records privacy and the sale of consumer data. EPIC conducts litigation, sponsors conferences, produces reports, publishes the EPIC Alert and leads campaigns on privacy issues. For more information email: epic-info@epic.org, or contact EPIC, 1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: (202) 483-1140. Executive Director: Marc Rotenberg."</ref>

* [http://epic.org/privacy/privacy_resources_faq.html Online Guide to Privacy Resources]<ref>"EPIC was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging privacy issues relating to the National Information Infrastructure, such as the Clipper Chip, the Digital Telephony proposal, medical records privacy and the sale of consumer data. EPIC conducts litigation, sponsors conferences, produces reports, publishes the EPIC Alert and leads campaigns on privacy issues. For more information email: epic-info@epic.org, or contact EPIC, 1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: (202) 483-1140. Executive Director: Marc Rotenberg."</ref>

* http://www.nocards.org - [[Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email]]<ref>"CAUCE is an all volunteer, entirely web-based organization, created by Netizens to advocate for a legislative solution to the problem of UCE (spam). CAUCE began as a discussion group called SPAM-LAW, formed of members who felt that legislation was necessary to stop spam from choking the life out of the Internet. In 1997 CAUCE proposed an amendment to the Federal statute which outlaws junk "faxes" (47 USC 227) to also prohibit junk e-mail, and since then has remained a pre-eminent voice in the anti-spam community. Email: comments@cauce.org. President: Edward Cherlin."</ref>

* http://www.nocards.org - [[Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email]]<ref>"CAUCE is an all volunteer, entirely web-based organization, created by Netizens to advocate for a legislative solution to the problem of UCE (spam). CAUCE began as a discussion group called SPAM-LAW, formed of members who felt that legislation was necessary to stop spam from choking the life out of the Internet. In 1997 CAUCE proposed an amendment to the Federal statute which outlaws junk "faxes" (47 USC 227) to also prohibit junk e-mail, and since then has remained a pre-eminent voice in the anti-spam community. Email: comments@cauce.org. President: Edward Cherlin."</ref>

==References==

==References==

{{reflist|2}}  

{{reflist|2}}  

[[Category:American Inventions]]

[[Category:American Inventions]]

[[Category:Information Technology]]

[[Category:Information Technology]]

[[Category:Computer Science]]

[[Category:Computer Science]]

[[Category:Computers]]

[[Category:Computers]]

[[Category:Electrical Engineering]]

[[Category:Electrical Engineering]]