Processor may refer to:
Computing
Hardware
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Processor (computing)
In computing
Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes and development of both computer hardware , hardware and softw ...
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Central processing unit
A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor or just processor, is the electronic circuit
200px, A circuit built on a printed circuit board (PCB).
An electronic circuit is composed of individual electroni ...

(CPU), the hardware within a computer that executes a program
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Microprocessor
A microprocessor is a computer processor where the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC, a chip, or a microchip ...

, a central processing unit contained on a single integrated circuit (IC)
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Application-specific instruction set processor (ASIP), a component used in system-on-a-chip design
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Graphics processing unit
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized designed to rapidly manipulate and alter to accelerate the creation of in a intended for output to a . GPUs are used in s, s, s, s, and s.
Modern GPUs are very efficient at manipulating and ...
(GPU), a processor designed for doing dedicated graphics-rendering computations
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Physics processing unit
A physics processing unit (PPU) is a dedicated microprocessor designed to handle the calculations of physics, especially in the physics engine of video games. It is an example of hardware acceleration.
Examples of calculations involving a PPU mig ...
(PPU), a dedicated microprocessor designed to handle the calculations of physics
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Digital signal processor
A digital signal processor (DSP) is a specialized microprocessor
A microprocessor is a computer processor where the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic i ...
(DSP), a specialized microprocessor designed specifically for digital signal processing
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Image processor
An image processor, also known as an image processing engine, image processing unit (IPU), or image signal processor (ISP), is a type of media processor
A media processor, mostly used as an image processor, image/Video_scaler#Video_processor, vide ...
, a specialized DSP used for image processing in digital cameras, mobile phones or other devices
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Coprocessor
A coprocessor is a computer processor used to supplement the functions of the primary processor (the CPU
A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor or just processor, is the electronic circuit
File:PExdc ...
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Floating-point unit
A floating-point unit (FPU, colloquially a math coprocessor) is a part of a computer
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Modern comp ...
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Network processor
A network processor is an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC, a chip, or a microchip) is a set of electronic circuit
File:PExdcr01CJC.jpg, 200px, A circuit built on a printed ...
, a microprocessor specifically targeted at the networking application domain
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Multi-core processor
A multi-core processor is a computer processor on a single integrated circuit with two or more separate Central processing unit, processing units, called cores, each of which reads and executes Instruction set, program instructions. The instru ...
, single component with two or more independent CPUs (called "cores") on the same chip carrier or on the same die
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Front-end processor, a helper processor for communication between a host computer and other devices
Software
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Word processor
A word processor (WP) is a device or computer program that provides for input, editing, formatting, and output of text, often with some additional features.
Early word processors were stand-alone devices dedicated to the function, but current ...
, a computer application used for the production of potentially printable material
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Document processor
WordPerfect, first released for minicomputers in 1979 and later ported to microcomputers
A word processor (WP) is a device or computer program that provides for input, editing, formatting, and output of text, often with some additional features ...
, a computer application that superficially resembles a word processor—but emphasizes the visual layout of the document's components
Systems
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Information processor
An information processor or information processing system, as its name suggests, is a system
A system is a group of Interaction, interacting or interrelated elements that act according to a set of rules to form a unified whole.
A system, s ...
, a system which takes information in one form and transforms it into another form by an algorithmic process
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Data processing system
A data processing system is a combination of machine
A machine is a man-made device that uses power to apply forces and control movement to perform an action. Machines can be driven by animals and people
A people is a plurality of p ...
, a combination of machines, people, and processes that for a set of inputs produces a defined set of outputs
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Information system
An information system (IS) is a formal, sociotechnical, organizational system designed to collect, process, information storage, store, and information distribution, distribute information. From a sociotechnical perspective, information systems ar ...
, a system composed of people and computers that processes or interprets information
Other
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Firewood processor, a machine designed to cut and split firewood
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Food processor, an appliance used to facilitate repetitive tasks in the preparation of food
See also
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Process (disambiguation)
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Data processing (disambiguation)
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