Final answer:
Pipelining consists of executing multiple stages of different instructions simultaneously to improve CPU efficiency. Superscalar execution enables more than one instruction per cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pipelining is a method used by CPUs to execute multiple instructions simultaneously by dividing a single CPU instruction into several stages, with each stage being processed in parallel. This is akin to an assembly line in a factory where each worker handles a specific task concurrently, thereby improving overall efficiency. For example, while one instruction is being executed, another can be decoded, and a third can be fetched.
Superscalar execution refers to a CPU design that allows for the execution of more than one instruction during a single clock cycle by having multiple execution units. This is exemplified by modern processors that can perform several arithmetic operations simultaneously.
Vertical waste occurs in superscalar architectures when there are not enough independent instructions to fill all execution units, leading to idle units and wasted resources. For instance, if a CPU has four execution units but only two independent instructions are available to execute, two units would go unused.
Horizontal waste is the wasted CPU cycles in a pipelined processor when instruction cannot proceed to the next stage (due to hazards or dependencies), causing the pipeline to stall. An example would be a CPU waiting for a data load operation to complete before it can execute a dependent instruction.