{{Short description|Type of algorithm}} In computer science, a '''sequential algorithm''' or '''serial algorithm''' is an algorithm that is executed sequentially – once through, from start to finish, without other processing executing – as opposed to concurrently or in parallel. The term is primarily used to contrast with ''concurrent algorithm'' or ''parallel algorithm;'' most standard computer algorithms are sequential algorithms, and not specifically identified as such, as sequentialness is a background assumption. Concurrency and parallelism are in general distinct concepts, but they often overlap – many distributed algorithms are both concurrent and parallel – and thus "sequential" is used to contrast with both, without distinguishing which one. If these need to be distinguished, the opposing pairs sequential/concurrent and serial/parallel may be used.
"Sequential algorithm" may also refer specifically to an algorithm for decoding a convolutional code.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-sequentialalgorithm.html|title=A Dictionary of Computing at Encyclopedia.com}}</ref>
==See also== * Online algorithm * Streaming algorithm
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Algorithms
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