What is MCP?

MCP can refer to two common meanings in technology: Microcontroller Peripheral and Microsoft Certified Professional. In embedded systems, an MCP is a hardware component that interfaces with a microcontroller to provide additional functionality such as analog‑to‑digital conversion, communication protocols, or power management. For example, the MCP3008 is an 8‑channel 10‑bit ADC that can be connected to an Arduino or Raspberry Pi to read analog sensors. In the Microsoft ecosystem, MCP stands for Microsoft Certified Professional, a certification that validates expertise in Microsoft technologies such as Windows Server, Azure, or Office 365. The certification is achieved by passing one or more exams and is often required for roles that involve Microsoft product administration or development. Knowing the context of the interview will help you determine which definition is relevant. If the discussion is about embedded hardware, focus on the peripheral aspect; if it’s about cloud or software, the certification meaning is likely intended.