Central processing unit. Also known as the main processor or central processor, the central processing unit is the electronic circuit in a computer. This processor is what carries the instructions of a computer program.
It does this by performing arithmetic logic, input and output, and controlling options. Though the idea was introduced in 1945, the first program didn't run until June 16, 1949 on the Manchester Mark 1. Steps of the process include recieving instructions, decoding the instruction into signals which are sent to other parts of the central processing unit, and then executing those instructions.