PDP

PDP is an acronym used as an abbreviation in several different fields, including computing, information security, human resources, politics, and engineering. The meaning of PDP depends on context.

In computing, PDP stands for Programmed Data Processor. It referred to a line of minicomputers produced by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the 1960s and 1970s. The PDP-11, introduced in 1970, became widely adopted and influenced operating systems and software design, contributing to the development of later computing architectures and the growth of the Unix ecosystem.

In information security and access control architectures, PDP means Policy Decision Point, a component that evaluates access-control policies and determines whether a given request should be permitted or denied. PDPs are commonly discussed in relation to standards such as XACML and other policy-based access control frameworks.

In human resources and education, PDP can denote a Professional Development Plan or a Professional Development Program. These documents or programs outline learning goals, skill development, and career trajectories for individuals or organizations, often used to guide performance reviews and training initiatives.

In politics, People’s Democratic Party is a frequently used party name in various countries. Different parties with this designation have operated at national or regional levels, often with distinct platforms and histories.

In engineering and electronics, PDP also stands for power-delay product, a metric used to assess the energy efficiency of digital circuits. PDP combines power consumption with the circuit’s delay to compare designs and optimize performance per energy unit.

Because PDP has multiple meanings, the intended interpretation relies on context and field of use.