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MISD Last modified: Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Short for multiple instruction, single data. A type of parallel computing architecture that is classified under Flynn's taxonomy. Each processor owns its control unit and its local memory, making them more powerful than those used in SIMD computers. Each processor operates under the control of an instruction stream issued by its control unit: therefore the processors are potentially all executing different programs on different data while solving different sub-problems of a single problem. This means that the processors usually operate asynchronously.  [Source: Tommesani] See also Flynn's taxonomy.

Introduction to Parallel Computing This presentation covers the basics of parallel computing. Beginning with a brief overview and some concepts and terminology associated with parallel computing, the topics of parallel memory architectures and programming models are then explored. Michael J. Flynn Michael Flynn received his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1961. He joined IBM in 1955 and for 10 years worked in the areas of computer organization and design. He was design manager of prototype versions of the IBM 7090 and 7094/II, and later for the System 360 Model 91 Central Processing Unit. Tommesani Programming Methods A widely used classification of parallel systems, due to Michael J. Flynn, is based on the number of simultaneous instruction and data streams seen by the processor during program execution.