Parallel architecture overview (Q1110301)

An increasing number of parallel computer products are appearing in the market place. Their design motivations and market areas cover a broad spectrum: (i) transaction processing systems, such as parallel UNIX systems (e.g., SEQUENT Balance), for data processing applications; (ii) numeric supercomputers, such as hypercube systems (e.g., INTEL iPSC), for scientific and engineering applications; (iii) VLSI architectures, such as parallel microcomputers (e.g., INMOS Transputer), for exploiting very large scales of integration; (iv) high-level language computers, such as logic machines (e.g., FUJITSU Kabu-Wake), for symbolic computation; and (v) neurocomputers, such as connectionist computers (e.g., THINKING MACHINES Connection Machine), for general-purpose pattern matching applications. This survey paper gives an overview of these novel parallel computers and discusses the likely commercial impact of parallel computers.