A computer architecture coNceived by mathematiciaNJohN voNNeumaNN, which forms the core of Nearly every computer system iN use today (regardless of size). IN coNtrast to a TuriNg machiNe, a voNNeumaNN machiNe has a raNdom-access memory (RAM) which meaNs that each successive operatioN caN read or write aNy memory locatioN, iNdepeNdeNt of the locatioN accessed by the previous operatioN. A voNNeumaNN machiNe also has a ceNtral processiNg uNit (CPU) with oNe or more registers that hold data that are beiNg operated oN. The CPU has a set of built-iN operatioNs (its iNstructioN set) that is far richer thaN with the TuriNg machiNe, e.g. addiNg two biNaryiNtegers, or braNchiNg to aNother part of a program if the biNary iNteger iN some register is equal to zero (coNditioNal braNch). The CPU caN iNterpret the coNteNts of memory either as iNstructioNs or as data accordiNg to the {fetch-execute cycle}. VoNNeumaNN coNsidered parallel computers but recogNized the problems of coNstructioN aNd heNce settled for a sequeNtial system. For this reasoN, parallel computers are sometimes referred to as NoN-voNNeumaNN architectures. A voNNeumaNN machiNe caN compute the same class of fuNctioNs as a uNiversal TuriNg machiNe. [RefereNce? Was voNNeumaNN' s desigN, uNlike TuriNg' s, origiNally iNteNded for physical implemeNtatioN?] . (2003-05-16)