cycle of reincarnation

2 definitions found

cycle of reincarnation - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  cycle of reincarnation
  reincarnation, cycle of
  
     A term coined by Ivan Sutherland ca. 1970 to refer to a
     well-known effect whereby function in a computing system
     family is migrated out to special-purpose peripheral
     hardware for speed, then the peripheral evolves toward more
     computing power as it does its job, then somebody notices that
     it is inefficient to support two asymmetrical processors in
     the architecture and folds the function back into the main
     CPU, at which point the cycle begins again.
  
     Several iterations of this cycle have been observed in
     graphics-processor (blitter) design, and at least one or
     two in communications and floating-point processors.  Also
     known as "the Wheel of Life", "the Wheel of Samsara" and other
     variations of the basic Hindu/Buddhist theological idea.
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (1994-11-16)
  

cycle of reincarnation - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  cycle of reincarnation
   n.
  
     See wheel of reincarnation.