Scalar processor

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

A computer that performs arithmetic computations on one number at a time. Contrast with vector processor.

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Scalar processors represent the simplest class of computer processors. A scalar processor processes one data item at a time (typical data items being integers or floating point numbers). In a vector processor, by contrast, a single instruction operates simultaneously on multiple data items. The difference is analogous to the difference between scalar and vector arithmetic.

See also

• Instruction pipeline
• Parallel computing
• Superscalar

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