dictionary help| scalar | computing dictionary |
1. <mathematics> A single number, as opposed to a vector or matrix of numbers. Thus, for example, "scalar multiplication" refers to the operation of multiplying one number (one scalar) by another and is used to contrast this with "matrix multiplication" etc.
2. <computer architecture> In a parallel processor or vector processor, the "scalar processor" handles all the sequential operations - those which cannot be parallelised or vectorised.
See also: superscalar.
3. <computer programming> Any data type that stores a single value (e.g. a number or Boolean), as opposed to an aggregate data type that has many elements. A string is regarded as a scalar in some languages (e.g. Perl) and a vector of characters in others (e.g. C).
(01 Jul 2002)
Scalable Sampling Rate, Scalable Vector Graphics, scala media < Prev | Next > scalar, scalar electrocardiogram, scalaria
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| scalar | medical dictionary |
<mathematics> In the quaternion analysis, a quantity that has magnitude, but not direction; distinguished from a vector, which has both magnitude and direction.
(01 Mar 1998)
Scalable Vector Graphics, scala media, scalar < Prev | Next > scalar electrocardiogram, scalaria, scalariform
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