Q.What is meant by the Central Processing Unit (CPU)? State its two main parts.

The CPU is often called the 'brain' of the computer because it is where the actual processing happens, and it is built from two cooperating parts. …

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the part of a computer that carries out the actual processing of data — performing calculations, making comparisons, and controlling the operation of the whole machine. Because it does the real 'thinking' work of the computer, it is often called the brain of the computer. In modern computers the entire CPU is built onto a single chip called a microprocessor.

The CPU has two main parts:

1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) — performs all arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and all logical operations (comparisons such as greater-than, less-than, or equal-to).

2. Control Unit (CU) — directs and coordinates all the activities of the computer. It fetches instructions, interprets them, and tells the other parts of the computer what to do and when, so that everything works together in the correct order. …

Students sometimes name memory (RAM) as a part of the CPU — RAM is separate primary memory; the two main parts of …