What is the difference between thread and process in a multitasking operating system?
In a multitasking operating system, the main difference between a thread and a process lies in their basic unit of execution and resource allocation.
Focus Keyword: thread and process in a multitasking operating system
Process: A process is an independent unit of execution that consists of its own address space, resources, and state. Processes are heavyweight in nature, as they require separate memory allocations, such as code, data, and stack segments.
Thread: In contrast, a thread is a lightweight entity within a process that shares the same memory space and resources. Threads are often referred to as "lightweight processes" and can execute concurrently within the same address space of a process.
Threads within a process can communicate with each other more efficiently compared to separate processes since they share the same memory context. However, threads are more susceptible to synchronization issues and race conditions due to their shared resources.
Overall, while processes provide more isolation and security, threads offer better performance and resource utilization in a multitasking operating system.
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