Ciro Santilli As of 2020's, it is basically a cheap/slow/simple CPU used in embedded system applications.
It is interpreted. It actually implements a Python (-like ?) interpreter that can run on a microcontroller. See e.g.: Compile MicroPython code for Micro Bit locally.
As a result, it is both very convenient, as it does not require a C toolchain to build for, but also very slow and produces larger images.
The first thing you must understand is the Classic RISC pipeline with a concrete example.
The good:
- slick UI! But very hard to read characters, they're way too small.
- attempts to show state diffs with a flash. But it goes by too fast, would be better if it were more permanent
- Reverse debugging
The bad:
The good:
- Reverse debugging
- circuit diagram
The bad:
- Clunky UI
- circuit diagram doesn't show any state??
Basically a synonym for central processing unit nowadays: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/44740/whats-the-difference-between-a-microprocessor-and-a-cpu