- Aug 12, 2014
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Hello,
What capabilities must a CPU have so that a computer can effectively implement software?
I compare CPUs to cars. Cars have a ton of bells and whistles: power locks, AC, power windows, etc. But you don't really need any of those things.
However, if you strip away enough things, eventually a car will cease to be a car. That is, there is a basic criteria a car needs to function and meet the definition an automobile.
So, what about CPUs? I think that there is a trend now to move software "on chip" and have CPUs and microprocessors do things that were previously within the realm of software.
But what "atomic" operations must exist on a CPU so that you can run software?
My layman's guess is that the CPU must have the ability to add in binary and make branch decisions.
What are your thoughts?
What capabilities must a CPU have so that a computer can effectively implement software?
I compare CPUs to cars. Cars have a ton of bells and whistles: power locks, AC, power windows, etc. But you don't really need any of those things.
However, if you strip away enough things, eventually a car will cease to be a car. That is, there is a basic criteria a car needs to function and meet the definition an automobile.
So, what about CPUs? I think that there is a trend now to move software "on chip" and have CPUs and microprocessors do things that were previously within the realm of software.
But what "atomic" operations must exist on a CPU so that you can run software?
My layman's guess is that the CPU must have the ability to add in binary and make branch decisions.
What are your thoughts?