What is the primary function of the address bus in a computer system?

The primary function of the address bus in a computer system is to carry memory addresses from the CPU to other components, particularly the memory controller chip. It allows the CPU to specify which memory location it wants to read from or write to. By communicating these addresses, the address bus plays a crucial role in the memory access process, enabling the CPU to interact with RAM effectively.

Connecting the CPU directly to the memory controller chip is essential, as this chip manages the flow of data to and from the memory, and it utilizes the addresses provided by the address bus to identify where data is stored or needs to be written. This specific connection ensures that the CPU can communicate with memory efficiently and allows for proper execution of programs and tasks.

The focus on this connection highlights the importance of the address bus in addressing memory locations, which is fundamental to how data is organized and retrieved within a computer system.