Sequential Computing
Sequential computing is a fundamental programming paradigm where instructions are executed one after another in a single, linear order, typically by a single processor core. It forms the basis of traditional von Neumann architecture computers, where programs follow a step-by-step flow from start to finish. This approach is intuitive and straightforward, making it the default model for most early and many modern applications.
Developers should understand sequential computing as it underpins basic algorithm design, debugging, and logic flow in programming, especially for tasks that are inherently linear or don't require parallelization. It's essential for learning foundational programming concepts, writing simple scripts, and developing applications where performance bottlenecks aren't critical, such as in many web frontends or small-scale data processing. Mastery of sequential thinking helps in transitioning to more complex paradigms like parallel or concurrent computing.