Out-of-Order Execution

Tags

comp-arch

Is a feature of modern (1990s+) processors where the processor can execute other instructions while waiting for the current instruction to complete. So for example you could be assigning a variable, but while you're waiting for that write to memory to complete the processor could execute the next few instructions while waiting.

Note: If any of the operations would possibly alter the final result, there is a barrier, or if the re-ordering violates the data dependencies of the instructions, the processor keep the instructions in the stated order.