Difference between revisions of "Serial computer"
From Computer History Wiki
(An OK start) |
m (Typo) |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
For example, instead of a [[word]]-wide [[adder]], there is only a single-[[bit]] adder, and to add two numbers, they are fed into it a bit at a time, one bit on each [[clock]] tick, starting with the least significant bit. | For example, instead of a [[word]]-wide [[adder]], there is only a single-[[bit]] adder, and to add two numbers, they are fed into it a bit at a time, one bit on each [[clock]] tick, starting with the least significant bit. | ||
| − | Serial computers were more common in the early stages of computing; they are slower, but | + | Serial computers were more common in the early stages of computing; they are slower, but use fewer componenents, an acceptable trade-off at that stage, when the technology (e.g. [[vacuum tube]]s) was more expensive and bulky. |
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Revision as of 15:57, 4 September 2018
A serial computer is one which uses a serial implemention, rather than the more common parallel.
For example, instead of a word-wide adder, there is only a single-bit adder, and to add two numbers, they are fed into it a bit at a time, one bit on each clock tick, starting with the least significant bit.
Serial computers were more common in the early stages of computing; they are slower, but use fewer componenents, an acceptable trade-off at that stage, when the technology (e.g. vacuum tubes) was more expensive and bulky.
