A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of parallel processing?

1. Running a single software program sequentially

2. Executing several commands at the same time

3. Combining multiple functions into one

4. Performing tasks on a first come, first served basis

The correct answer is: Executing several commands at the same time

Parallel processing refers to the method of processing data simultaneously across multiple processors or cores. This approach allows a system to execute multiple tasks or commands at the same time, making it much more efficient for handling complex computations or large datasets. In the context of the question, executing several commands at the same time is a definitive example of parallel processing. This method takes advantage of the capability of a multicore processor or multiple processors to divide the workload and manage multiple operations concurrently, which can significantly reduce processing time. The other options do not align with the concept of parallel processing. Running a single software program sequentially refers to performing tasks one after the other, which does not utilize parallel execution. Combining multiple functions into one pertains to merging or optimizing code rather than executing tasks simultaneously. Performing tasks on a first come, first served basis suggests a queue-based or serial processing system, where tasks are handled one at a time based on their arrival order, also lacking parallel execution.