What term is often used interchangeably with 'processor'?

The term 'processor' is commonly used interchangeably with 'CPU,' which stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the core component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside the system. It executes instructions from programs, performs calculations, and manages data flow to and from other components within the computer. This role as the main processing unit makes 'CPU' an appropriate synonym for 'processor.'

In contrast, a microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system, and while it can act as a processor, it is not typically referred to as a processor in the same context as a CPU. A data bus refers to the system within a computer that transfers data between components, and cache is a small amount of high-speed memory located on or near the CPU to speed up access to frequently used data. Both of these terms relate to the operation of computers but do not serve as interchangeable terms for 'processor.'