What is the difference between a Process and a Thread in Unix?

In Unix, a process is an independent entity that can execute code, access resources, and perform tasks. Each process has its own memory space, file descriptors, and unique process identifier (PID).

A thread, on the other hand, is a component of a process that can execute code concurrently with other threads within the same process. Threads share the same memory space and file descriptors as the process they belong to. This allows threads to communicate and share resources more efficiently than separate processes.

One key difference between processes and threads is that processes are isolated from each other and cannot directly access each other's memory. In contrast, threads within the same process can access and modify shared variables and resources, making them more lightweight and efficient for certain tasks.

Overall, processes provide better isolation and security, while threads offer more efficient communication and resource sharing within a single program.