What is the primary purpose of a CPU in a computer system?

The primary purpose of a CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is to process instructions. The CPU acts as the brain of the computer, executing commands from programs and managing the movement of data within the system. It performs essential operations such as arithmetic calculations, logical reasoning, and control functions that drive the overall functionality of the computer. Every action that a computer performs, whether it is opening a file, playing a video, or running complex computations, begins with the CPU processing relevant instructions.

While other components play significant roles in a computer system—such as memory for data storage, input/output interfaces for managing peripheral devices, and network interfaces for internet connectivity—the CPU is primarily responsible for interpreting and executing the instructions that dictate how these tasks are accomplished. Its efficiency and speed directly impact the performance of the entire system.