Flynn's taxonomy is a classification of computer architectures, proposed by Michael J. Flynn in 1972.^[1][2] The four classifications defined by Flynn are based upon the number of concurrent instruction (or control) and data streams available in the architecture: SISD is an acronym for Single Instruction stream over a Single Data stream. ... Multiple Instruction Single Data (MISD) is a type of parallel computing architecture where many functional units perform different operations on the same data. ... -1... Multiple Instruction Multiple Data (MIMD) is a type of parallel computing architecture where many functional units perform different operations on different data. ... A Lego RCX Computer is an example of an embedded computer used to control mechanical devices. ...

• Single instruction, single data stream (SISD) - a sequential computer which exploits no parallelism in either the instruction or data streams. Examples of SISD architecture are the traditional uniprocessor machines like a PC or old mainframes.
• Multiple instruction, single data stream (MISD) - unusual due to the fact that multiple instruction streams generally require multiple data streams to be effective. However, this type is used when it comes to redundant parallelism, as for example on airplanes that need to have several backup systems in case one fails. Some theoretical computer architectures have also been proposed which make use of MISD, but none have entered mass production.
• Single instruction, multiple data streams (SIMD) - a computer which exploits multiple data streams against a single instruction stream to perform operations which may be naturally parallelised. For example, an array processor.
• Multiple instruction, multiple data streams (MIMD) - multiple autonomous processors simultaneously executing different instructions on different data. Distributed systems are generally recognised to be MIMD architectures; either exploiting a single shared memory space or a distributed memory space.

There is also a common extension to this taxonomy which is: SISD is an acronym for Single Instruction stream over a Single Data stream. ... A uniprocessor system refers to a system with a single processor. ... A stylised illustration of a modern personal computer A personal computer (PC) is usually a microcomputer whose price, size, and capabilities make it suitable for personal usage. ... Mainframes (often colloquially referred to as big iron) are large and expensive computers used mainly by government institutions and large companies for legacy applications, typically bulk data processing (such as censuses, industry/consumer statistics, ERP, and bank transaction processing). ... Multiple Instruction Single Data (MISD) is a type of parallel computing architecture where many functional units perform different operations on the same data. ... -1... A vector processor, or array processor, is a CPU design that is able to run mathematical operations on a large number of data elements very quickly. ... Multiple Instruction Multiple Data (MIMD) is a type of parallel computing architecture where many functional units perform different operations on different data. ... This article or section should be merged with Distributed computing In computer science, a distributed system is an application that consists of components running on different computers concurrently. ...

• Single Program, multiple data streams (SPMD) - multiple autonomous processors simultaneously executing the same instruction set (but at independent points) on different data. Also referred to as 'Single Process, multiple data'.

A type of parallel computing. ...

References

1. ^ Flynn, M., Some Computer Organizations and Their Effectiveness, IEEE Trans. Comput., Vol. C-21, pp. 948, 1972.
2. ^ Duncan, Ralph, "A Survey of Parallel Computer Architectures", IEEE Computer. February 1990, pp. 5-16.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (FOLDOC) is an on-line, searchable encyclopedic dictionary of computing subjects. ... GNU logo (similar in appearance to a gnu) The GNU Free Documentation License (GNU FDL or simply GFDL) is a copyleft license for free content, designed by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) for the GNU project. ...

External links

• Michael J. Flynn