Flynn’s Classification in Computer Architecture

Flynn’s Classification

M.J. Flynn classified the organization of a computer system by the number of instructions and data items that are manipulated simultaneously.
1. SISD
2. SIMD
3. MISD
4. MIMD

SISD

It stands for Single Instruction and Single Data Stream. SISD represents the organization of a single computer containing a control unit, a processor unit, and a memory unit.

SIMD

It stands for Single Instruction and Multiple Data Stream. SIMD represents an organization that includes many processing units under the supervision of a common control unit.

MISD

It stands for Multiple Instruction and Single Data streams. In MISD, the multiple processing units operate on one single data stream. Each processing unit operates on the data independently via a separate instruction stream.

MIMD

It stands for Multiple Instruction and Multiple Data Streams. MIMD machines use a collection of processors, each having its memory, which can be used to collaborate on executing a given task. In general, MIMD systems can be categorized based on their memory organization into shared-memory and message-passing architectures.