scalar processor

scalar processor

[′skā·lər ′prä‚ses·ər]

(computer science)

A computer that carries out computations on one number at a time.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

scalar processor

A CPU that performs computations on one number or set of data at a time. Most computers have scalar CPUs. A scalar processor is known as a "single instruction stream single data stream" (SISD) CPU. Contrast with vector processor. See scalar.

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