Editing Control unit (section)

{{Short description|Component of a computer's CPU}}
{{About|the component of a computer's CPU}}

The '''control unit''' ('''CU''') is a component of a computer's [[central processing unit]] (CPU) that directs the operation of the processor. A CU typically uses a [[binary decoder]] to convert coded instructions into timing and control signals that direct the operation of the other units (memory, [[arithmetic logic unit]] and input and output devices, etc.).

Most computer resources are managed by the CU. It directs the flow of data between the CPU and the other devices. [[John von Neumann]] included the control unit as part of the [[von Neumann architecture]].<ref>{{Citation|last1=von Neumann |first1=John |title=First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC |year=1945 |publisher=Moore School of Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania |url=http://qss.stanford.edu/~godfrey/vonNeumann/vnedvac.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314123032/http://qss.stanford.edu/~godfrey/vonNeumann/vnedvac.pdf |archive-date=March 14, 2013 }}</ref> In modern computer designs, the control unit is typically an internal part of the CPU<!-- or other device that directs its operation--> with its overall role and operation unchanged since its introduction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/computer-organization-control-unit-and-design/|title=Computer Organization - Control Unit and design|website=GeeksforGeeks|author=Astha Singh|date=24 September 2018 |access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref>