Final answer:
The CPU performs a range of operations such as arithmetic and logical operations as well as control instructions. These are central to both simple and complex computer program functions, and are designed by computer scientists and engineers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is responsible for performing a variety of operations at the instruction of computer programs. Some common examples of operations carried out by the CPU include:
- Arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Logical operations such as AND, OR, NOT, and XOR which are used in making decisions.
- Control operations that manage the execution of instructions, like jumping to a new set of instructions, or conditional branching based on certain criteria.
These operations are fundamental to the functioning of all software, from basic applications to complex systems that control devices such as automobile engine controls or assistive technologies like motion-controlled artificial limbs. Engineers and computer scientists design both the hardware that performs these operations and the software instruction sets that orchestrate them. Firms like Microsoft, Apple, and Hewlett Packard are just some examples of where computer engineers might work developing these technologies.