Ever wonder how a computer works? Using the top=down approach, this block diagram takes you on a journey through the various stages of a microprocessor’s architecture. At the system level, the details of each component are concealed, all emphasis being placed on the task that each device performs. For starters, every microprocessor has an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). As its name suggests, this component allows a computer to perform both arithmetic and logic operations. Therefore, it is important to take time to understand how this circuit works by following the animation.