IA-64
IA-64 (Intel Architecture 64-bit) is a 64-bit instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by Intel and Hewlett-Packard, primarily implemented in the Itanium processor family. It uses an explicitly parallel instruction computing (EPIC) design that relies on compiler optimization to schedule instructions for parallel execution, rather than hardware-based out-of-order execution. The architecture was designed for high-performance computing and enterprise servers, but saw limited adoption due to compatibility and performance challenges.
Developers should learn about IA-64 primarily for historical context or when maintaining legacy enterprise systems, as it was used in high-end servers and supercomputers in the early 2000s. It's relevant for understanding EPIC architecture principles and the evolution of 64-bit computing, but modern development rarely targets IA-64 due to its niche market and the dominance of x86-64 and ARM architectures.