Question

What part of the computer actually runs programs?

Short answer

Short Answer: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component of a computer that runs programs. It follows the fetch-decode-execute cycle: fetching instructions from memory, decoding them to determine the required operation, and executing the operation using the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). The CPU also interacts with memory to fetch, process, and store data and instructions.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the main component of a computer that runs programs

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component of a computer that runs programs. It is the "brain" of the computer and executes the instructions given by a program.

Understand the basic components of the CPU

The CPU has three main components: 1. The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Responsible for performing arithmetic and logical operations on data. 2. The Control Unit (CU): Responsible for controlling and coordinating the operations of the computer, including fetching, decoding, and executing instructions. 3. The Register set: A collection of small, fast storage locations used to hold data and instructions during program execution.

Know the CPU's role in running programs

The CPU executes programs by following a process called the fetch-decode-execute cycle, which consists of the following steps: 1. Fetch: The CPU fetches the instruction from memory. 2. Decode: The CPU decodes the instruction to determine what operation it needs to perform with the ALU. 3. Execute: The CPU performs the operation with the ALU and writes the result back to memory or a register. This process repeats for each instruction in the program until the program is fully executed.

Learn about the interaction between the CPU and memory

To run programs, the CPU interacts with the computer's memory. It fetches instructions and data from memory, processes them, and stores the results back in memory. The CPU uses addresses to identify specific memory locations for fetching and storing data. In conclusion, the CPU is the part of the computer that runs programs. It follows the fetch-decode-execute cycle and interacts with memory to fetch, process, and store data and instructions.