The Pi2/Pi3 computer

The Raspberry Pi2 model B (see the following figure) has a few siblings. Some are less capable than the Pi2, and others, such as the newer Pi3, have greater capability in terms of processing power. However, in the following endeavor, the author used the Pi2, even though he could have used the Pi3 (the Pi3 is discussed in the latter sections of Chapter 8, Testing the Super Cluster). The Pi technology was invented in the United Kingdom in February 2012. The device is the progeny of an idea - conceived at the Raspberry Pi foundation - that places of learning around the UK should be equipped to teach individuals the basics of computer science. The low-cost technology quickly gained popularity in England, and subsequently in the US. Contributing affirmatively to the device's rapid acceptance is its use of an opensource Linux-based operating system. The Linux OS is a boon to tech geeks around the world, who are now using this Pi microcomputer in ways that were never...