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Parallel Processing

Parallel Processing

There are theoretical limits as to what a single processor can do and how fast it can do it.

Parallel processing means there is more than one processor and the tasks are shared between them.
(It will take two men less time to paint a room than one man!)

Example : To calculate the surface area of a cuboid (length L cm, height H cm and width W cm)

Using one processor P1:

Input L, W and H
P1 : Side = L * H
Store Side
P1 : End = H * W
Store End
P1 : Top = L * W
P1 : Total = Top + Side + End

Using three processors P1, P2 and P3:

Input L, W and H
P1 : Side = L * H P2 : End = H * W    P3 : Top = L * W
P1 : Total = Side+End+Top    

The tasks are shared between the three processors and the job is completed much faster.