Parallel programming is the act of using multiple processors or cores in a computer to solve a problem. The spelling of this word is phonetically transcribed as /ˈpærəlel ˈproʊɡræmɪŋ/. The "a" in "parallel" is pronounced as "æ", which represents the open front unrounded vowel sound. The double "l" is pronounced as a geminate consonant, which means that it is held twice as long as a single "l". The "g" in "programming" is pronounced as a voiced velar stop, which means the sound is produced by blocking airflow in the vocal tract at the back of the mouth.
Parallel programming is a computational approach that involves executing tasks or processes simultaneously to enhance the performance and efficiency of a computer system. It refers to the method of dividing a program or algorithm into smaller, independent parts that can be executed concurrently on multiple processors or computing cores. The primary objective of parallel programming is to exploit the inherent parallelism in a problem or task to maximize resource utilization, reduce execution time, and achieve faster results.
In parallel programming, tasks are divided into smaller units, known as threads, which can be executed simultaneously on multiple processing units. Each thread operates independently, allowing for different parts of a program to be executed concurrently. This enables the system to complete tasks in a shorter amount of time compared to sequential processing, where tasks are executed one after another.
Parallel programming often requires coordination and synchronization between threads to ensure correct execution and proper data sharing. Techniques such as locks, barriers, and message passing are commonly used to manage the interaction between threads and ensure orderly execution of parallel tasks.
Parallel programming finds extensive applications in fields like scientific simulations, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and computer graphics. It is particularly beneficial in computationally intensive tasks where the workload can be efficiently distributed across multiple processors or cores, resulting in significant performance improvements and accelerated computations.
The etymology of the word "parallel programming" can be broken down as follows:
- The term "parallel" originates from the Latin word "parallelus" which means "having parallel lines". It entered the English language in the mid-16th century, derived from the Greek word "parallelos" meaning "parallel". In mathematics, "parallel" describes two or more lines that never intersect and are equidistant from each other at all points.
- The word "programming" has its roots in the field of computer science. It originated from the term "program", which appeared in the early 19th century to describe a theater or musical performance schedule. Later, in the mid-20th century, it evolved to represent a sequence of coded instructions that could be executed by a machine.
The combination of these two words, "parallel" and "programming", gave rise to the expression "parallel programming".