Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
Sequential computing refers to the traditional method of executing instructions in a computer program one after another, in a sequential order. It follows a linear path where each instruction is completed before moving on to the next.
Parallel Computing: Parallel computing involves breaking down tasks into smaller subtasks that can be executed simultaneously by multiple processors or cores for faster processing.
Multithreading: Multithreading allows multiple threads within a single process to execute concurrently, enabling better utilization of resources and improved performance.
Instruction Pipelining: Instruction pipelining is a technique that allows overlapping execution of multiple instructions at different stages of processing, improving overall efficiency and speed.