what does the parallel computing toolbox do?

How can the parallel computing button on matlab interface help me, and what is its function (in easy language)? i read the help file, but couldn't make out much of it.

Answer 1

[Shashank Prasanna]

It lets you make use of multiple workers so that your existing code can be run faster. The following 2 3 min videos will quickly introduce the tools:

http://www.mathworks.com/products/parallel-computing/examples.html

[Jason Ross]

It also allows you to use the computing power of a GPU.