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Fetch, decode, execute cycle
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 ==
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.
==References==
<references/>
== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://computer.howstuffworks.com/microprocessor.htm How Microprocessors Work]
*[http://computer.howstuffworks.com/microprocessor.htm How Microprocessors Work]