Central processing unit
A central processing unit ( CPU ) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic , logic, controlling and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions. The computer industry has used the term "central processing unit" at least since the early 1960s. [1] Traditionally, the term "CPU" refers to a processor , more specifically to its processing unit and control unit (CU), distinguishing these core elements of a computer from external components such as main memory and I/O circuitry. [2]
Page Revisions
| Year | Metadata | Sections | Top Words | First Paragraph |
| 2018 |
229608 characters 25 sections 67 paragraphs 22 images 493 internal links 78 external links |
instruction 0.594 cpu 0.381 cpus 0.266 clock 0.176 instructions 0.172 superscalar 0.159 execution 0.139 alu 0.130 arithmetic 0.114 ics 0.106 processors 0.106 executed 0.095 integer 0.087 floating 0.083 ic 0.081 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic , logic, controlling and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions. The computer industry has used the term "central processing unit" at least since the early 1960s. [1] Traditionally, the term "CPU" refers to a processor , more specifically to its processing unit and control unit (CU), distinguishing these core elements of a computer from external components such as main memory and I/O circuitry. [2] |
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| 2017 |
218973 characters 25 sections 66 paragraphs 22 images 492 internal links 67 external links |
instruction 0.594 cpu 0.381 cpus 0.266 clock 0.176 instructions 0.172 superscalar 0.159 execution 0.139 alu 0.130 arithmetic 0.114 ics 0.106 processors 0.106 executed 0.095 integer 0.087 floating 0.083 ic 0.081 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic , logical, control and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions. The computer industry has used the term "central processing unit" at least since the early 1960s. [1] Traditionally, the term "CPU" refers to a processor , more specifically to its processing unit and control unit (CU), distinguishing these core elements of a computer from external components such as main memory and I/O circuitry. [2] |
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| 2016 |
217545 characters 25 sections 67 paragraphs 23 images 493 internal links 65 external links |
instruction 0.592 cpu 0.380 cpus 0.275 clock 0.175 instructions 0.172 superscalar 0.158 execution 0.139 alu 0.130 ics 0.113 arithmetic 0.105 processors 0.105 executed 0.095 integer 0.087 ic 0.081 processor 0.080 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions. The term has been used in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. [1] Traditionally, the term "CPU" refers to a processor, more specifically to its processing unit and control unit (CU), distinguishing these core elements of a computer from external components such as main memory and I/O circuitry. [2] |
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| 2015 |
187956 characters 23 sections 64 paragraphs 20 images 472 internal links 47 external links |
instruction 0.562 cpu 0.395 cpus 0.284 clock 0.188 instructions 0.181 superscalar 0.166 execution 0.139 alu 0.136 ics 0.119 processors 0.107 executed 0.100 ic 0.085 integer 0.085 processor 0.084 edvac 0.083 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions. The term has been used in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. [1] Traditionally, the term "CPU" refers to a processor, more specifically to its processing unit and control unit (CU), distinguishing these core elements of a computer from external components such as main memory and I/O circuitry. [2] |
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| 2014 |
151617 characters 21 sections 60 paragraphs 19 images 456 internal links 17 external links |
instruction 0.575 cpu 0.408 cpus 0.301 instructions 0.185 clock 0.179 superscalar 0.170 execution 0.155 alu 0.113 executed 0.102 arithmetic 0.087 edvac 0.085 ilp 0.085 ics 0.084 integer 0.081 ic 0.078 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output operations specified by the instructions. The term has been used in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. [1] |
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| 2013 |
143120 characters 18 sections 56 paragraphs 15 images 443 internal links 13 external links |
instruction 0.559 cpu 0.432 cpus 0.300 instructions 0.186 clock 0.180 superscalar 0.176 execution 0.160 ics 0.102 executed 0.092 ilp 0.088 pipeline 0.078 edvac 0.077 pipelining 0.077 simd 0.077 memory 0.073 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ), also referred to as a central processor unit , [1] is the hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The term has been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. [2] The form, design , and implementation of CPUs have changed over the course of their history, but their fundamental operation remains much the same. |
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| 2012 |
144065 characters 17 sections 57 paragraphs 15 images 458 internal links 13 external links |
instruction 0.559 cpu 0.427 cpus 0.306 instructions 0.186 clock 0.185 superscalar 0.176 execution 0.160 executed 0.092 edvac 0.088 ilp 0.088 ics 0.087 pipeline 0.078 pipelining 0.077 simd 0.077 memory 0.073 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ), also referred to as a central processor unit , [1] is the hardware within a computer system or smartphone which carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The term has been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. [2] The form, design, and implementation of CPUs have changed over the course of their history, but their fundamental operation remains much the same. |
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| 2011 |
148359 characters 17 sections 55 paragraphs 16 images 471 internal links 29 external links |
instruction 0.561 cpu 0.429 cpus 0.307 instructions 0.186 clock 0.186 superscalar 0.176 execution 0.161 executed 0.092 edvac 0.088 ilp 0.088 ics 0.087 pipeline 0.078 pipelining 0.077 simd 0.077 memory 0.073 |
The central processing unit ( CPU ) is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program , to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. [1] The form, design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation remains much the same. |
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| 2010 |
143912 characters 16 sections 48 paragraphs 16 images 466 internal links 29 external links |
instruction 0.545 cpu 0.418 cpus 0.307 clock 0.200 superscalar 0.190 instructions 0.177 execution 0.173 executed 0.099 edvac 0.095 ilp 0.095 ics 0.085 pipeline 0.084 pipelining 0.083 simd 0.083 parallelism 0.078 |
The central processing unit ( CPU ) is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program , and is the primary element carrying out the computer's functions. The central processing unit carries out each instruction of the program in sequence, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. This term has been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. [1] The form, design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation remains much the same. |
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| 2009 |
142057 characters 16 sections 47 paragraphs 16 images 463 internal links 28 external links |
instruction 0.535 cpu 0.413 cpus 0.318 superscalar 0.197 execution 0.180 clock 0.170 instructions 0.159 edvac 0.098 ilp 0.098 harvard 0.095 ics 0.088 executed 0.087 pipelining 0.086 simd 0.086 parallelism 0.081 |
The Central Processing Unit ( CPU ) or the processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program , and is the primary element carrying out the computer's functions. This term has been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s Template:Ref harvard . The form, design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation remains much the same. |
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| 2008 |
129650 characters 15 sections 47 paragraphs 14 images 394 internal links 25 external links |
instruction 0.533 cpu 0.415 cpus 0.335 superscalar 0.187 execution 0.175 clock 0.162 instructions 0.137 edvac 0.100 ilp 0.100 harvard 0.096 ics 0.089 executed 0.088 pipelining 0.087 scalar 0.087 simd 0.087 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ) is a machine that can execute computer programs . This broad definition can easily be applied to many early computers that existed long before the term "CPU" ever came into widespread usage. The term itself and its initialism have been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s Template:Ref harvard . The form, design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation has remained much the same. |
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| 2007 |
130530 characters 15 sections 47 paragraphs 13 images 394 internal links 23 external links |
instruction 0.532 cpu 0.409 cpus 0.335 superscalar 0.199 execution 0.175 clock 0.162 instructions 0.136 edvac 0.100 ilp 0.100 harvard 0.096 neumann 0.092 ics 0.089 executed 0.088 pipelining 0.087 simd 0.087 |
A Central Processing Unit ( CPU ), or sometimes just processor , is a description of a certain class of logic machines that can execute computer programs . This broad definition can easily be applied to many early computers that existed long before the term "CPU" ever came into widespread usage. However, the term itself and its initialism have been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s Template:Ref harvard . The form, design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation has remained much the same. |
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| 2006 |
98517 characters 15 sections 45 paragraphs 15 images 201 internal links 21 external links |
instruction 0.548 cpu 0.388 cpus 0.338 superscalar 0.214 execution 0.169 clock 0.153 instructions 0.150 harvard 0.105 edvac 0.101 template 0.093 neumann 0.093 ics 0.090 ilp 0.088 simd 0.088 parallelism 0.083 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ), or sometimes simply processor, is the component in a digital computer that interprets computer program instructions and processes data . CPUs provide the fundamental digital computer trait of programmability , and are one of the necessary components found in computers of any era, along with primary storage and input/output facilities. A CPU that is manufactured as a single integrated circuit is usually known as a microprocessor . Beginning in the mid-1970s, microprocessors of ever-increasing complexity and power gradually supplanted other designs, and today the term "CPU" is usually applied to some type of microprocessor. |
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| 2005 |
95467 characters 15 sections 42 paragraphs 12 images 185 internal links 14 external links |
instruction 0.541 cpu 0.385 cpus 0.340 superscalar 0.228 execution 0.170 clock 0.153 instructions 0.151 harvard 0.106 edvac 0.101 template 0.094 neumann 0.094 ics 0.091 ilp 0.089 scalar 0.089 simd 0.089 |
A central processing unit ( CPU ), or sometimes simply processor, is the component in a digital computer that interprets and executes instructions and data contained in software . CPUs provide the fundamental digital computer trait of programmability, and are one of the core components found in almost all modern microcomputers , along with primary storage and input/output facilities. In a similar vein, microprocessors are a type of CPU that is manufactured on an integrated circuit , often as a single-chip package. Since the mid-1970s, single-chip microprocessors have become the most common and prominent implementation of CPUs, and today the term is almost always applied to this form. |
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| 2004 |
15498 characters 6 sections 7 paragraphs 1 images 95 internal links 5 external links |
cpu 0.562 processors 0.211 chip 0.177 processor 0.169 microprocessor 0.149 unit 0.149 bit 0.148 vaguely 0.139 ovens 0.139 caches 0.139 directs 0.139 fetch 0.139 operands 0.139 phased 0.139 interprets 0.139 |
The central processing unit (CPU) is the part of a computer that interprets and carries out the instructions contained in the software . In most CPUs, this task is divided between a control unit that directs program flow and one or more execution units that perform operations on data. Almost always, a collection of registers is included to hold operands and intermediate results. |
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| 2003 |
7228 characters 1 sections 8 paragraphs 0 images 60 internal links 0 external links |
cpu 0.588 architectures 0.235 processors 0.207 vaguely 0.181 caches 0.181 directs 0.181 operands 0.181 phased 0.181 interprets 0.181 misleading 0.181 cpus 0.180 erroneously 0.149 centrally 0.149 register 0.130 carries 0.130 |
The central processing unit (CPU) is the part of a computer that interprets and carries out the instructions contained in the software . In most CPUs, this task is divided between a control unit that directs program flow and one or more execution units that perform operations on data. Almost always, a collection of registers is included to hold operands and intermediate results. |
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| 2002 |
4686 characters 0 sections 7 paragraphs 0 images 39 internal links 0 external links |
cpu 0.618 unit 0.204 vaguely 0.191 caches 0.191 directs 0.191 microcode 0.191 operands 0.191 interprets 0.191 architectures 0.165 erroneously 0.157 centrally 0.157 motherboard 0.157 arithmetic 0.157 carries 0.137 bios 0.137 |
The Central Processing Unit (or CPU) is the part of a computer that interprets and carries out the instructions contained in the software . In most CPUs, this task is divided between a control unit that directs program flow and one or more execution units that perform operations on data. Almost always, a collection of registers is included to hold operands and intermediate results. |
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| 2001 |
1846 characters 0 sections 3 paragraphs 0 images 8 internal links 0 external links |
vaguely 0.358 interprets 0.358 performs 0.331 abbreviated 0.294 centrally 0.294 arithmetic 0.294 handles 0.256 microprocessor 0.192 logical 0.192 unit 0.192 instructions 0.178 semiconductor 0.166 chips 0.155 cpu 0.145 flow 0.136 |
Often abbreviated "CPU", this is the part of a computer that interprets and performs the instructions given to it by software . In many computers, this is further divided into a control unit that handles program flow and an arithmetic and logical unit that performs operations on data. The term is often used vaguely to include other centrally important parts of a computer such as storage and input/output control, especially in computers with modern microprocessor chips that include several of these functions in one physical semiconductor chip. |