Differentiate between Multiprogramming and Multiprocessing.



Multiprogramming vs. Multiprocessing

Multiprogramming and multiprocessing are techniques used to improve the efficiency of computer systems by allowing multiple tasks to be executed simultaneously. However, they differ in their underlying mechanisms.

Multiprogramming

  • Definition: A technique that allows multiple programs to reside in memory simultaneously.
  • Mechanism: The operating system switches between programs to give each a share of the CPU time.
  • Goal: To maximize CPU utilization by keeping the CPU busy while one program is waiting for input/output operations.

Multiprocessing

  • Definition: A technique that uses multiple CPUs or cores to execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Mechanism: Each CPU or core can execute a separate process or thread independently.
  • Goal: To increase the overall processing power of the system and improve performance for tasks that can be parallelized.

Key Differences

FeatureMultiprogrammingMultiprocessing
MechanismSingle CPU switching between processesMultiple CPUs or cores executing processes simultaneously
GoalMaximize CPU utilizationIncrease overall processing power

In summary, multiprogramming is about efficiently managing multiple tasks on a single CPU, while multiprocessing involves using multiple CPUs or cores to execute tasks in parallel. Both techniques can improve the performance of a computer system, but multiprocessing is generally more effective for tasks that can be parallelized.

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