What is a Computer?

A computer is a special machine that performs tasks, such as ______, data processing, and handling, electronic communication, etc.

Programs usually reside within the computer and are retrieved and processed by the computer’s ______ system.

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a microprocessor chip that is a single piece of silicon containing millions of tiny microscopically wired ______ components.

Information from input devices or from the computer’s memory is communicated via the ______ to the CPU.

Registers can be thought of as the CPU’s tiny scratchpad, temporarily storing ______ or data.

When a program is running, one special register called the program counter keeps track of which program instruction comes next by maintaining the memory location of the next program instruction to be ______.

The CPU’s control unit coordinates and times the CPU’s functions, and it uses the program counter to locate and retrieve the next instruction from ______.

The program counter changes usually increasing a small amount so that it contains the location of the instruction that will be ______ next.

The current instruction is analyzed by a decoder, which determines what the instruction will ______.

Any data the instruction needs are retrieved via the bus and placed in the CPU’s ______.