Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is a hardware chip located inside a device. It is the core component of a computing device, yet it can only function alongside other hardware.
A computer's CPU handles all instructions it receives from hardware and software running on the computer, and acts as an efficient calculator. It's main function is to take input from peripheral hardware e.g. the keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner etc., or a computer program, and interpret the task. It will then either output the information to your monitor, or perform the peripheral hardware's request.