A microcontroller contains one or more CPUs (processor cores) along with memory and programmable input/output peripherals. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications consisting of various discrete chips.
Why microcontrollers are called general purpose devices?
Explanation: Microcontrollers are designed to perform dedicated tasks. While designing general purpose computers end use is not known to designers.
What is general purpose microprocessor?
General-Purpose Processors GPPs are the processors that power desktop computers and are at the center of the computer revolution that began in the 1970s. The landscape of microprocessor design is dotted with a large number of devices from a variety of manufacturers.