micro processor

Hi, ahr1102,

This question has been dealt with exhaustively on CR4 in the past.

In short, tho', a microprocessor is generally a CPU + working registers + memory & I/O address generation, while a microcontroller is a CPU + RAM, with a varying mix of ROM, I/O, timers etc. + more or less capability for addressing external RAM/ROM/I/O.

Hope this helps.

John

We've been asked this before.

A broad explanantion...

Microcontroller has more on board peripherals. eg it has ram, rom (maybe one time programable or reprogrammable) which can hold the memory and I/O ports. Thus it can be used virtually on it's own by adding a few switches as inputs and Leds or relays as outputs.

A microprocessor rlies more on external memory accessed by address/data busses.

Del

The man in the street (and elsewhere) call all of them computers.

A controller fitted in a modern car or washing machine most probably exceeds the specifications of the first PC's. (pre XT).

The same applies to Main frames of the past, They were less potent than some pocket calculator of today. I can still remember the time when one had to add values in batches and then add the subtotals together to avoid discrepancies.