Architecture
Processor
A digital circuit that executes instructions, fetching, decoding, and performing operations on data.
Detailed Explanation
Processors contain a datapath (registers, ALU, buses) and control unit (instruction decode, sequencing). The program counter tracks the current instruction. Registers hold operands and results. The memory interface accesses instructions and data.
Processor architectures range from simple (single-cycle, in-order) to complex (out-of-order, speculative, superscalar). Microcontrollers are simple processors for embedded systems. CPUs are general-purpose processors for computing.