Sequentiell

Sequentiell is an adjective that describes something arranged in, or occurring in, a specific sequence—one item following another in a defined order.

In computing and algorithms, sequentiell processing executes tasks in a predetermined order. A sequential program runs instructions one after another, without interleaving parallel tasks. This makes reasoning and debugging easier and can reduce synchronization overhead, but it may underutilize multicore CPUs and be slower for tasks that could be parallelized.

In data storage and media, sequentiell access or streaming involves reading data in a fixed order. Sequentiell access contrasts with random access, where data can be retrieved in any order; sequential access is often faster for large files on magnetic media but less flexible.

In manufacturing and workflows, a sequentiell process follows a fixed order of steps. Each stage begins after the previous finishes, providing predictability and quality control but potentially limiting throughput or adaptability.

In statistics and experimental design, sequential methods evaluate data as it is collected, allowing early stopping or adaptive decisions.

The term is used across fields to denote order and progression, and its precise meaning depends on the domain. Related concepts include serial and sequential, which are often used as synonyms or near-equivalents in specific contexts.