Processors - Definition and Overview

A CPU

The processor sub-system of a data processing system processes received information after it has been encoded into data by the input sub-system. These data are then processed by the processing sub-system before being sent to the output sub-system where they are decoded back into information.

The two major types of digital processors are the central processing unit (CPU) and the digital signal processor (DSP). There are two main types of processors: CISC and RISC.

There are also analogue audio processors, often used in studios and radio stations.

A person at a processing facility (such as for sorting mail) may also be called a processor.

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