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ASSIGNMENT COVER
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Discuss why the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is referred to as the
brain and the memory or as the heart of a computer.
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looks like an outdated television set of way back in the times when it was first invented.The parts
that are visible and touchable are said to be the boxes that contain the central processing unit and
the other computer parts like the keyboard and the mouse .The central processing unit which is
usually abbreviated CPU is the most important part of a computer but not the computer itself
,just the brains of the computer operation. As it is said to be the brain or the heart ,one might
think it is a very big part like the keyboard or the monitor but a small chip that sits at the top of
the main circuit board or what is called the motherboard of a computer .The Central Processing
Unit (CPU) is the internal component of a computer which deals with processing of input data
According to Britannica by definition, the central processing unit is a principal part of any digit
computer system, generally composed of the main memory, control unit and of the main
memory, control, and arithmetic-logic unit. It constitute the physical heart of the entire computer
system, it is linked to various peripheral equipment, including input/output devices and auxiliary
storages. According to Kangai V .C( Module BEDM 207) The central processing unit is defined
as “a simple processor that actually operates on data , performs any calculations and controls all
the other components .”This means that the other parts of the computer are controlled by the
central processing unit and as the brain controls the whole body so does the central processing
unit wit the computer. The Wikipedia, online encyclopaedia defines the central processing unit
as “the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer
program by performing the basic arithmetic , logical ,control and input output operations
specified by the instructions.”Meaning all instructions of a computer are found at the central
processing unit just as the human brain .Lastly , the Cambridge dictionary defines the central
processing unit as “the part of a computer that performs operations on the information that is put
into it.”Just as the brain or the heart ,it the central processing unit does all the operations
One would make a claim that they CPU is the brain and the memory of the computer because the
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the part of the computer that interprets and executes the
commands from the computer hardware and software. In modern day the CPU is referred to as a
microprocessor. This is a single integrated circuit which is at the centre of the most Personal
Computers (PCs). The CPU is a chip containing millions of tiny transistors. It is the CPU’s job to
perform the calculations necessary to make the computer works; the transistors in the CPU
Another critical component in computers is memory. The most important kinds of memory are
Read-Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM). Without computer memory,
every calculations/ intellectual tasks done by the computer will be stateless which means that
they would be no way to preserve information from one moment to the next and every process
would start on a clean state. The ROM is a memory used to store information that needs to be
permanent. It is often used to contain, for example, configuration data for computer system. This
chip does not be altered and can no longer be read from. On the other hand, the RAM is a
memory chip where data is temporarily stored when applications are running and when the CPU
is making its calculations. This memory can be written to and read from. Since its contents are
lost when power to the computer is turned off, it is often referred to as volatile or temporary
memory.
In the computer motherboard, there is another memory called Basic Input/ Output System
(BIOS). It is a chip which works closely with the CPU. Because we consider the microprocessor
as the brain of the computer, the BIOS should be referred to the spin. Its the job of the BIOS to
handle interaction between the software running on a computer and the machine’s hardware
components. The motherboard, CPU, ROM, RAM and BIOS handle most of the heavy uplifting
for computer processes. They are in charge o allocating resources to applications so that they run
smoothly. They also accept input from devices like keyboards, mice and other computer
accessories.
To show the uniqueness of the computer brain (CPU), the computer uses its language called the
binary system in interpreting commands and inputs. The computer uses programming language
called the binary system which consists of a set of two numbers that is 0 and 1. A programming
language is a formal language which comprises a set of instructions used to produce various
kinds of output. Programming languages are used to create programs that implements specific
algorithms. Each letter has a unique binary code which is interpreted to logical language which
and logic unit (ALU), which carries out calculations and makes logical decisions, and the
immediate access store (RAM). The Control Unit of the microprocessor controls communication
within the ALU and Memory Unit. The Control Unit decides which circuit is to be activated.
The CPU ,central processing unit does the normal mathematics for example , it adds ,subtracts ,
multiplies and divides at an enormous speed .The complicated mathematical functions have long
chains of simple maths and also complex maths like trigonometry , logarithms and other tough
maths, for example , in a fraction of a second the central processing unit can calculate many
spreadsheet cells .Kangai .V (2012,12) agrees by saying the central processing unit “performs
most of the calculations which enables a computer to function and is sometimes referred to as the
The central processing unit just like the human brain makes logical decisions .It can do simple
comparisons like determining the grater than /less than and equal condition. It can also decide on
which action to take based on the outcome of each comparison . This can make possible for the
manager to to rely on a program to calculate the remuneration of employees inclusive of all the
logistic of the particular employer without doubt. Hand , S( 2010) states that “it selects and
retrieves instructions from the main memory in proper sequence and interprets them so as to
activate the other functional elements of the system at the appropriate moment to perform their
respective operations.”The CPU can also compare data in the form of a text thus permitting
The central processing unit (CPU) is also able to move data from one place of the computer
memory to another,for example ,the central processing unit is able to read information from a
different file that is situated on the computer hard drive and perform calculations on the data at
the same time writing it to other files. When one types on the keyboard or clicks on a mouse ,the
central processing unit manages to move the data from the input devices and place it in the
computer memory, for example when we cut and paste ,it involves data movement from the
different parts of a document also when you click on a web page ,the central processing unit
sends data to from the internet at the same instance reading the data for the new page from the
site.
As the human brain, the central processing unit has the ability to do more than one function at a
time. It can change among the many programs that that run in a computer, for example it has the
ability to monitor your calendar and remind you of important dates and appointments .One part
can wait for a loading program whilst at the same time checking the page for viruses and
malware. This ability to multitask the central processing unit CPU uses its full potential as it will
be performing all the activities at once even if it only processes little by little one task then
another
In conclusion , the central processing unit CPU is both the heat and brains of a computer because
if one looks close ,they realize that every single operation done is processed in the CPU , just as
in the human brain .The CPU is a device that controls everything just like the heart or brain with
the ability of mathematics as the brain .In most instances ,the CPU, processes data very fast jus
as the brain does, The brain processes and stores information , so does the CPU because in a
computer there are a mix of things and it controls and co ordinates all the parts of the computer
in the same way controlling and guiding the flow and manipulation of data and works with what
2. Haag .Cummings and Mcberry (2003) Management information systems for the
information age.
USA
4. https://en.m.wikipedia.org
5. http://www.britannica.com.