What is a Microprocessor?

A microprocessor is a register based, clock-driven, programmable semiconductor device that accepts binary data and instruction and consist of electronic logic circuits manufactured by using either a large-scale integration (LSI) or very-large-scale integration (VLSI) technique.

A comparison between a microprocessor and a computer is shown below:

 

• Arithmetic/Logic Unit: This is the area of the microprocessor where various computing functions are performed on data. The ALU unit performs such arithmetic operations as addition and subtraction, and such logic operations as AND, OR, and exclusive OR.
• Register Array: This area of the microprocessor consists of various registers identified by letters such as B, C, D, E, H, and L. These registers are primarily used to store data temporarily during the execution of a program and are accessible to the user through instructions.
• Control Unit: The control unit provides the necessary timing and control signals to all the operations in the microcomputer. It controls the flow of data between the microprocessor and memory and peripherals.
• Memory: Memory stores such binary information as instructions and data, and provides that information to the microprocessor whenever necessary. To execute programs, the microprocessor reads instructions and data from memory and performs the computing operations in its ALU section. Results are either transferred to the output section for display or stored in memory for later use. Read-Only memory (ROM) and Read/Write memory (R/WM), popularly known as Random- Access memory (RAM).
• I/O (Input/Output): It communicates with the outside world. I/O includes two types of devices: input and output; these I/O devices are also known as peripherals.
• System Bus: The system bus is a communication path between the microprocessor and peripherals: it is nothing but a group of wires to carry bits.