a very long instruction word architecture and method provide for functionally expanding a parcel . the instruction register of the vliw architecture is divided into a plurality of parcels , each of which has corresponding processing logic . the processing logic performs various functions based on the data within the corresponding parcel . a single parcel , however , can only specify a limited number of functions or include a limited amount of data for processing such that the level of optimization for a given vliw may be impeded . the selector logic and processing logic , however , allow for data from a non - corresponding parcel to be selected and processed . in this manner , the functions and / or amount of data for processing in a single parcel can be expanded by using data from a non - corresponding parcel .