What is the ALU? What does it do?
2007-06-28 01:06:34 · 3 answers · asked by °¶±j ± 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Prasy is right except for one detail, not all processors do XOR (Exclusive OR). Maybe now Intel and AMD do, but to assume that all processors do or HAVE is misleading. The fact that XOR is done in a processor saves a ton of time. The reason why XOR is not done on some processors is because it can be done through a combination of the other Booleans: AND, OR and also NOT. Although this is lengthy and can be assume more time consuming/processor taxing, some just don't choose to use this instead of the faster XOR.
This may be hard to prove since it is used in modern processors but again, to assume that its used in all ALU's is misleading.
2007-06-28 01:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by avengress 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a digital circuit that calculates an arithmetic operation (addition, subtraction, etc.) and logic operations (Exclusive Or, AND, etc.) between two numbers. The ALU is a fundamental building block of the central processing unit of a computer.
2007-06-28 01:16:42 · answer #2 · answered by prasy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Arithmetic Logic Unit, it does all the math caluculations.
2007-06-28 01:10:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋