An operating system serves as a crucial software that oversees computing devices' functionalities, spanning from smartphones and computers to servers and smartwatches. It simplifies user interaction by eliminating the necessity to grasp coding languages. Multitasking allows an OS to handle multiple tasks concurrently, enhancing user productivity.
Conversely, multiprocessing enables an OS to distribute tasks across multiple processors, improving system performance by executing tasks simultaneously.
In this article, we will learn about multitasking and multiprocessing in detail with their advantages. Then we will differentiate between multitasking and multiprocessing.
So, let’s get started:
What is Multitasking?
A multiprogramming system's logical extension is multitasking. It allows it to execute more than one program at the same time. In an operating system, multitasking will enable you to execute multiple programs with different tasks to run simultaneously. In this, the resources like CPU are shared between these processes that are running; the operating system plays a vital role by keeping track of which functionalities of these processes are running so that the transition between these processes can be done without any data loss.
On a single processor machine, no two tasks can run at the same time; nonetheless, the CPU changes from one task to the next so quickly that it looks like all tasks are running at the same time. Multitasking is built on the principles of time sharing and context switching.
Multiprocessing is a system in which the total number of processors is more than one. Multiple CPUs are connected to the system so that the speed of computing can be increased.
It is an operating system's capacity to run many processes on a multiprocessor machine at the same time. In this case, a computer employs multiple CPUs at the same time. A Multiprocessing System is a computer with two or more processors that share all resources such as the system bus, memory, and other I/O.
Difference between Multitasking and Multiprocessing
S.No.
Basis
Multitasking
Multiprocessing
1.
Resource Utilization
Multiple tasks are processes using a single resource.
A single device uses multiple processing units.
2.
Isolation of Tasks
The process is present in the same CPU.
In this multiple processing units are utilized, the process moves from one CPU to another.
3.
Number of processors
Because the tasks that are assigned switch after a regular interval, it is called time sharing.
It has more than one processors to carry out the task.
4.
Mechanism employed for task handling
Context Switching is used in multitasking.
More tasks can be done within a short interval of time.
5.
Approach to resource utilization
Multitasking aims to efficiently utilize a single resource (usually a CPU) by interleaving multiple tasks.
Multiprocessing focuses on utilizing multiple processing units (CPUs or cores) simultaneously, enhancing resource utilization.
6.
Management of resources
In multitasking, tasks share the same resources, which may lead to resource conflicts.
In multiprocessing, tasks can be isolated to run on separate processing units, reducing resource contention.
7.
Scalability of the system
Multitasking may face limitations in scalability on a single CPU.
Multiprocessing can scale better as more processing units can be added for increased performance.
Because each process is allocated a specific time quantum for execution, it will reduce starvation.
It helps in saving time.
It increases productivity.
Types of Multiprocessing:
Multiprocessing systems are divided into two types –
(a) Symmetric Multiprocessing: The operating system resides on one processor, and the other processors run the user's programs.
(b) Asymmetric Multiprocessing: The operating system on any available processor or all the processors simultaneously runs the user program.
Advantages of Multiprocessing:
The advantages of multiprocessing are as follows −
As the workload is distributed evenly between the different processors, it becomes more accurate, and the reliability increases.
Multiprocessing is one example of actual parallel processing, which means more than one process executing at the same time.
By increasing the number of processors, more work can be completed in less time, increasing the throughput.
Cost-saving
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between multiprocessing and multiprocessor?
Multiprocessing is a method of executing multiple processes on single or multiple processors, whereas a multiprocessing system is a computer with multiple processors that work together to run tasks in parallel.
What is the main difference between multitasking and multithreading?
Multitasking refers to the performance of multiple tasks at the same time, whereas multithreading is the process of dividing a single process into multiple threads that can be done concurrently on a single processor.
What is multiprocessing with example?
Multiprocessing refers to the simultaneous execution of multiple processes or tasks using multiple processing units. An example is a web server handling multiple client requests concurrently.
Conclusion
In this article, we have studied schedulers in operating systems. We have also discussed the types of schedulers in detail and learned how multiprocessing, multithreading and multitasking are different.
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