number crunching

Computing the large-scale processing of numerical data

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

number crunching

(application, jargon)

Computations of a numerical nature, especially those that make extensive use of floating-point numbers. The only thing Fortrash is good for.

This term is in widespread informal use outside hackerdom and even in mainstream slang, but has additional hackish connotations: namely, that the computations are mindless and involve massive use of brute force. This is not always evil, especially if it involves ray tracing or fractals or some other use that makes pretty pictures, especially if such pictures can be used as wallpaper.

See also crunch.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

number crunching

Computers running mathematical, scientific or CAD applications, which perform large amounts of calculations. See number cruncher.

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References in periodicals archive

Cloud computing allows people and companies to do everything from word processing to number crunching from anywhere a user can connect to the net.

Cloud computing a viable reality, experts say

He spent nearly three years researching and number crunching, visiting with equipment suppliers and attending equipment shows.

AFW's automation alteration: for this largely manual green sand shop, installing a faster automatic molding system required automating the rest of the plant

They have worked out that number crunching can be pretty rewarding - especially if it helps them in exams which are just around the corner.

Central City News: Classes add up

Not everyone agrees on the number crunching. "Grand Meadow went this route because of a tight budget and the fact the state was willing to give some financial assistance to a different type of construction," Neubauer says.

Dome sweet dome: these unusual structures popping up in some parts of the country hold promise, even if their benefits aren't always as well rounded as some claim

But if you can't be bothered with number crunching visit www.weightconcern.com for an online calculator.

The tale of the tape tells whether you are obese

"The P620's high-speed number crunching and multimedia capabilities, coupled with its versatile I/O and notebook-like power management features, make it the ultimate small-form-factor embedded PC.

General Micro Systems announces industry's highest performance Mini-ITX motherboard

During Vietnam another generation of Americans placed their faith in the number crunching of Secretary of Defense Robert S.

Science fiction: if we fail to fire up our "little grey cells," following the evidence is likely to lead to forensic fundamentalism

Jones); (5) "Culture of Quality": Northwest Missouri State University's Corporate-Style Goal-Setting and Number Crunching (Susan C.

National CrossTalk. Volume 13, Number 2, Spring 2005

As far as resources go, a user who spends most of his or her day running spreadsheet applications and word processing would use few resources compared to a user who does heavy-duty number crunching. If the word processing user needs to edit graphics every once in a while, they might either have insufficient hardware and software do to so, or have hardware and software that is far more than they really need 99% of the time.

Virtual machines: they're the way forward to platform independence

The authors pull back the curtain on some of Hollywood's most obsessive release rituals, everything from test screenings to press junkets to opening weekend number crunching. Along the way, crucial moments in the evolution of the wide-release strategy are documented: the rise of multiplexes, the groundbreaking release strategies for films like "Jaws," "Billy Jack" and "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms" and the birth of organizations like Nielsen EDI and NRG.

Open Wide

In the sector of modeling, one needs workstations or high-end Pentiums for number crunching. Software with a reputation in CAD include Pro|Engineer, with its Mechanica; in CAE, MARC is very well respected for rubber analysis; and in CAM, codes such as FillCalc, CadPress and Polyflow are popular.

Closing the loop to develop optimal compounds, goods

Also, any number crunching can be assigned to summer interns, which our office has been very successful with.

Tax clients need more than just tax work