Click here

atomic operation

An operation during which a processor can simultaneously read a location and write it in the same bus operation. This prevents any other processor or I/O device from writing or reading memory until the operation is complete.

Atomic implies indivisibility and irreducibility, so an atomic operation must be performed entirely or not performed at all.



Top Terms
  • 1

    Consumerization of IT

    Consumerization of IT is a phrase used to describe the cycle of information technology (IT) emerging in the consumer market then spreading to...

    Read more »

  • 2

    ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning

    Short for enterprise resource planning, ERP is business management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications...

    Read more »

  • Click Here!

Connect with Webopedia

Did You Know? Archive »

  • Quick Reference Archive »