CPU

CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main hardware component of a computer or other computing device. It is responsible for executing machine instructions and controlling all system operations. 

Functions: 

• Computation: CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations on data. 
• Control: It controls the operation of all internal and external devices of the computer. 
• Instruction processing: The CPU fetches, decodes, and executes instructions from memory. 

Composition: 

• CPU core: Performs basic computations and consists of an arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) and a control unit. 
• Memory: Includes registers and cache memory for storing data. 
• Bus: Channels for transferring information between components. 

Characteristics: 

• Clock frequency: The number of operations performed per second. 
• Bit rate: The amount of information processed per clock. Modern processors are usually 32- or 64-bit.