Definition of Accumulator

accumulator
<processor> In a central processing unit, a register in which intermediate results are stored. Without an accumulator, it would be necessary to write the result of each calculation (addition, multiplication, shift, etc.) to main memory and read them back. Access to main memory is slower than access to the accumulator which usually has direct paths to and from the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU).
The canonical example is summing a list of numbers. The accumulator is set to zero initially, each number in turn is added to the value in the accumulator and only when all numbers have been added is the result written to main memory.
Modern CPUs usually have many registers, all or many of which can be used as accumulators. For this reason, the term "accumulator" is somewhat archaic. Use of it as a synonym for "register" is a fairly reliable indication that the user has been around for quite a while and/or that the architecture under discussion is quite old. The term in full is almost never used of microprocessor registers, for example, though symbolic names for arithmetic registers beginning in "A" derive from historical use of the term "accumulator" (and not, actually, from "arithmetic"). Confusingly, though, an "A" register name prefix may also stand for "address", as for example on the Motorola 680x0 family.
2. A register, memory location or variable being used for arithmetic or logic (as opposed to addressing or a loop index), especially one being used to accumulate a sum or count of many items. This use is in context of a particular routine or stretch of code. "The FOOBAZ routine uses A3 as an accumulator."
[Jargon File]
(1999-04-20)

accumulator
n. obs. 1. Archaic term for a register. On-line use of it as a synonym for `register' is a fairly reliable indication that the user has been around for quite a while and/or that the architecture under discussion is quite old. The term in full is almost never used of microprocessor registers, for example, though symbolic names for arithmetic registers beginning in `A' derive from historical use of the term `accumulator' (and not, actually, from `arithmetic'). Confusingly, though, an `A' register name prefix may also stand for `address', as for example on the Motorola 680x0 family. 2. A register being used for arithmetic or logic (as opposed to addressing or a loop index), especially one being used to accumulate a sum or count of many items. This use is in context of a particular routine or stretch of code. "The FOOBAZ routine uses A3 as an accumulator." 3. One's in-basket (esp. among old-timers who might use sense 1). "You want this reviewed? Sure, just put it in the accumulator." (See stack.)

Accumulator
(n.)
One who, or that which, accumulates, collects, or amasses.
  
(n.)
An apparatus by means of which energy or power can be stored, such as the cylinder or tank for storing water for hydraulic elevators, the secondary or storage battery used for accumulating the energy of electrical charges, etc.
  
(n.)
A system of elastic springs for relieving the strain upon a rope, as in deep-sea dredging.
  

accumulator

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Noun
1. a person who is employed to collect payments (as for rent or taxes)
(synonym) collector, gatherer
(hypernym) holder, bearer
(hyponym) conductor
(classification) tax, taxation, revenue enhancement
2. a voltaic battery that stores electric charge
(synonym) storage battery
(hypernym) voltaic battery, galvanic battery
(hyponym) lead-acid battery, lead-acid accumulator
(part-meronym) anode
3. (computer science) a register that has a built-in adder that adds an input number to the contents of the accumulator
(synonym) accumulator register
(hypernym) register
(classification) computer science, computing

accumulator

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accumulator
\ac*cu"mu*la`tor\ (&?;), n. [l.]
1. one who, or that which, accumulates, collects, or amasses.
2. (mech.) an apparatus by means of which energy or power can be stored, such as the cylinder or tank for storing water for hydraulic elevators, the secondary or storage battery used for accumulating the energy of electrical charges, etc.
3. a system of elastic springs for relieving the strain upon a rope, as in deep-sea dredging.
accumulator
n
1. a person who is employed to collect payments (as for rent or taxes) [syn: collector, gatherer]


2. a voltaic battery that stores electric charge [syn: storage battery ]


3. (computer science) a register that has a built-in adder that adds an input number to the contents of the accumulator [syn: accumulator register]

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  similar words(3) 

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 lead-acid accumulator 
 accumulator register 
 hydraulic accumulator 

accumulator
N M
heaper up; one who accumulates/amasses

Accumulator
A pressure vessel typically charged with nitrogen gas used to store hydraulic fluid under pressure for operation of pressure control equipment or other hydraulically operated equipment components.

Accumulator
See Accumulator piston .

accumulator
1. A register in which one operand can be stored and subsequently replaced by the result of an arithmetic or logic operation. 2. A storage register. (188 ) 3. A storage battery. (188 )

ACCU
Accumulator: An unit to save energy, e.g. hydraulic or electric nature.

accumulator
See rechargeable battery.

ACCUMULATOR
Storage tank which receives liquid refrigerant from evaporator and prevents it from flowing into suction line before vaporizing.

accumulator
1. a vessel or tank that receives and temporarily stores a liquid used in a continuous process in a gas plant. 2. On a drilling rig, an accumulator stores the nitrogen-pressurized hydraulic fluid used in closing the blowout preventers. (See blowout presenter control unit. ) 3. A drip accumulator collects the liquid hydrocarbons that condense out of a wet gas traveling through a pipeline.

Accumulator (elect.)
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Accumulator

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