Threads and Process State Quizzes

Threads vs. Processes

• Threads track a subset of process state, sharing resources such as open files, pid, etc.
• Examples of OS-supported threads include Windows' threads, Sun's LWP, and POSIX threads.
• Language-supported threads include those in Modula-3 and Java.

Advantages of Multithreading

• Multithreading can help by dividing a task into smaller subtasks, allowing multiple threads to work concurrently.
• Example: a web server can create multiple threads to handle different requests simultaneously, improving concurrency.

Concurrency and Overlapping Requests

• Concurrency allows multiple requests to be processed simultaneously, reducing total time.
• Example: two threads can handle two separate requests, overlapping their work to reduce latency.

Threads vs. Processes

• Each process requires its own page table and hardware state, which can be significant on the x86 architecture.
• Threads, on the other hand, share the same page table and hardware state, making them more efficient.

Latency and Throughput

• Latency refers to the time it takes to complete an operation, while throughput refers to the amount of work completed per unit time.
• Reducing latency can improve responsiveness, while increasing throughput can improve overall performance.
• Example: multiplying vectors can reduce latency, while a web server can increase throughput by handling multiple requests simultaneously.

Thread or Process Pool

• Creating a thread or process for each unit of work can be dangerous and lead to resource waste.
• A thread or process pool can control resource use, allowing for well-conditioned service.
• This approach can help prevent resource waste and improve overall system efficiency.