Expert: Kimberland - 10/4/2003

Question
What is a parallel processor?

Answer
Hi Jim.
No such thing as 'parallel processors' but there IS something called 'parallel processING'.  Imagine that you have 5 microprocessors in a computer all at 100MHz speed.  Now how would you set things up so that you can use all 5 processors too make your computer as FAST as possible?

What you do is this.....you take EVERY task that the microprocessors need to perform, and you divide the task up into 5 parts, you give each microprocessor a small bit of the task to perform and then the whole task can be finished MUCH faster.  This is like having 10 people to help you build a house instead of 1 person doing it all by themselves, or 10 people all doing the same task.

This is parallel processing.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask!
Have a good day!