In computing, a pipeline is a set of data processing elements connected in series, where the output of one element is the input of the next one. The elements of a pipeline are often executed in parallel or in time-sliced fashion; in that case, some amount of buffer storage is often inserted between elements.
The concept of pipelines was invented by Douglas McIlroy at Unix's ancestral home of Bell Labs, prior to the actual invention of the operating system, and implemented in Unix at his insistence, shaping its toolbox philosophy. It is named by analogy to a physical pipeline. The standard shell syntax for pipelines is to list multiple programs to invoke in one command, separated by vertical bars:
Each program is assumed to take input and give output on its standard streams. Each "|" tells the shell to connect the standard output of the left program to the standard input of the right program by an inter-process communication mechanism called an (anonymous) pipe, implemented in the operating system. Since pipes are unidirectional, data flows through the pipeline from left to right.
As a member of the GenoshanPress Gang, Pipeline was exempt from the mutate process that his fellow mutants were subjected to, and served his country faithfully. He participates in the raid that captures four of the X-Men's charges. This takes places on the grounds of the X-Men mansion, in Salem Center, New York, a violation of American sovereignty. One of the prisoners, Warlock, did not survive subsequent imprisonment. He also participates in a second raid on US soil, attacking an airport in an attempt to get at Rene Majcomb.
After the fall of the Genoshan government, Pipeline fought in the resulting civil war on the side of the Magistrates. According to claims he made, he lost his home and family in this war.
During a raid on a mutate camp, he was captured by Cable and telepathically forced to help. He, Cable, Domino, Jenny Ransome and Phillip Moreau investigated clues to a new mutate facility, eventually discovering that the otherdimensional Sugar Man was behind the mutate process. He soon changed his loyalty, agreeing to work with the rebels to bring peace to Genosha.