The computational and control unit of a computer. The centralprocessing unit—or microprocessor (a single-chip central processing unit), in the case of a microcomputer—hasthe ability to fetch, decode, and execute instructions and to transfer information to and from other resources overthe computer抯 main data-transfer path, the bus. By definition, the central processing unit is the chip that functionsas the "brain"of a computer. In some instances, however, the term encompasses both the processor and thecomputer's memory or, even more broadly, the main computer console (as opposed to peripheral equipment).