What Is The Difference Between An Array Processor And A Vector Processor?

In computing, a vector processor or array processor is a central processing unit (CPU) that implements an instruction set containing instructions that operate on one-dimensional arrays of data called vectors. Vector and array processing are essentially the same with small differences.

The words “array” and “vector” have many meanings in CS dependent on context and language. I’m going to pick a possible pair of meanings:

• Arrays are just regions of memory that you can access independently. They are purely a software construct.
• Some CPUs (well, practically all of them) contain instructions which say “do the following operations to every value in this area of memory.”. These are extremely useful for graphics. They are sometimes called “SIMD instructions” (Single Instruction Multiple Data), or because they operate on multiple values these are sometimes called vector commands. They are a characteristic of a CPUs instruction set; nothing really to do with software.

These are only two of the possible meanings of “array” and “vector”, but they are probably the two most different in meaning.

A vector processor is a processor in which the operands of some commands can act as data arrays - vectors. A vector processor can be implemented in two versions. In the first, it is an additional block to a universal computer (system). Homework help site StudyDaddy helps to understand this topic. In the second - the vector processor is the basis of the independent aircraft.