What’s the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor?

A microcontroller is an integrated circuit (IC) chip that functions as a miniature computer. It has programmable input/output (I/O) peripherals, memory, and one or more CPUs. Along with a small amount of RAM, program memory in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash, or OTP ROM is also frequently included on chip. Unlike the microprocessors found in personal computers and other general-purpose applications, which are made up of a variety of discrete chips, microcontrollers are intended for embedded applications.

A microprocessor, on the other hand, is a central processing unit (CPU) contained on a single chip. It is a computer’s “brain” and is made to carry out arithmetic and logic functions. Generally speaking, microprocessors are found in multipurpose computing devices like servers, laptops, and desktop PCs.

Microprocessors and microcontrollers differ primarily in the following ways:

• Integration: Microprocessors lack memory and I/O peripherals, whereas microcontrollers do. This reduces the flexibility of microcontrollers while making them more compact and easier to use.
• Application: While microprocessors are usually designed for general-purpose applications, microcontrollers are typically designed for embedded applications. This indicates that while microprocessors are typically optimized for high performance and expandability, microcontrollers are typically optimized for low power consumption and real-time performance.

And this is my relevant Microcontroller vs Microprocessor article. Hope you enjoy reading it!

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