Abstract: A cell-based system for computation and communication. A cell is a well-defined structure that associates executable code and data into a basic computational module. A processor can traverse a cell and execute the instructions therein. Cells are arranged into a network with each cell linked to other cells by forward branches or other paths. A processor branches to a cell by loading its program counter with the address of the cell or by sending a packet of data across a communications network to activate remote processing in a cell. Cells have a path selection section for evaluating conditional branches and causing branches to be followed. Multiple branches may be followed in parallel from any cell. A tree-like organization is superimposed on the network by distinguishing one branch to each cell as a superbranch incorporating a return path (called "recession path"). A cell also has a convergence section that handles processors and threads of execution that return to that cell by this path (called "recession").