Which component is responsible for identifying memory locations for read/write operations in a CPU?

The component responsible for identifying memory locations for read/write operations in a CPU is the address bus. The address bus carries the addresses of memory locations to which the CPU wants to read from or write to. Each memory location in a computer has a unique address, and the address bus enables the CPU to specify which location it wants to access.

When the CPU wants to perform an operation involving memory, it places the appropriate address on the address bus. This address is then used by the memory unit to locate the specific data that is being requested or to determine where data should be stored.

The other components mentioned play different roles: the data bus is used for transferring the actual data between the CPU and memory; the control bus carries control signals which coordinate and manage operations; and the instruction bus is specifically used for fetching instructions from memory. Understanding the distinct functions of these buses highlights why the address bus is critical for identifying memory locations.