Cache memory contains copies of data recently accessed from main memory, allowing fast reuse of data in calculations. CISC Complex Instruction Set Computers. A special comment added to a program which directs the compiler to perform certain actions, such as data parallelisation or vectorisation Contention A state of affairs that arises when there is conflict for some common resource. For example, network contention arises when two or more processors attempt to communicate over the same part of a common network. Bus contention arises inside multiprocessor systems sharing a shared-memory bus.
Crossbar switch A type of fast, parallel network topology.
Deadlock A situation in parallel computers where all activities are blocked , typically while waiting for something which is also blocked. This usually signals an error in the communication code. The division of a global data set into smaller subdomains, typically for distribution over some form of parallel computer. Distributed memory Computer memory that is physically distributed among several processors that are connected by an interprocessor communications network. Each processor can only address its local memory, so data in other processors' memories must be transferred by interprocess communication.