SOC vs. Microcontroller vs. Microprocessor

I have always liked to distinguish a microprocessor from a
microcontroller based on whether or not there are integrated
peripherals on the same chip or just a CPU. There are some companies
that seem to refer to what I traditionally thought of as
microcontrollers by the term du jour, System-on-a-Chip. Are these two
terms synonymous? Furthermore, sometimes these SOCs are referred to in
the same documentation as processors. Isn't this a bit imprecise, and
wouldn't calling them microcontrollers be better since they are a
processor + a bunch of integrated peripherals and memories?

Thanks.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: SOC vs. Microcontroller vs. Microprocessor
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