parallel random-access machine
<parallel> (PRAM) An idealised {parallel processor} consisting
of P processors, unbounded {shared memory}, and a common
{clock}. Each processor is a random-access machine (RAM)
consisting of R {registers}, a {program counter}, and a
read-only signature register. Each RAM has an identical
program, but the RAMs can branch to different parts of the
program. The RAMs execute the program synchronously one
instruction in one clock cycle.
See also {pm2}.
(1997-06-04)