What is the Difference Between Multithreading and Multitasking?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between multithreading and multitasking lies in the way tasks are executed and the resources they utilize. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Task Execution: In multitasking, the CPU executes multiple tasks (threads, processes, programs, tasks) simultaneously, with frequent switching between tasks. In multithreading, the CPU generates multiple threads from a single process and executes them concurrently.
- Resource Utilization: In multitasking, each task has its own separate resources and memory for execution. In multithreading, all threads within a single process share the same resources and memory for execution.
- Cost: Multithreading is less expensive than multitasking, as threads are easier to produce and manage.
- Performance: Multithreading is generally faster than multitasking, as the process of thread termination takes less time compared to the process of task termination in multitasking.
In summary, multitasking allows the CPU to execute multiple tasks simultaneously, with separate resources and memory for each task, while multithreading involves the execution of multiple threads within a single process, sharing the same resources and memory.
Comparative Table: Multithreading vs Multitasking
Here is a table comparing the differences between multithreading and multitasking:
| Feature | Multitasking | Multithreading |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Execution of multiple tasks (processes, programs, threads) simultaneously. | Execution of multiple threads from a single process simultaneously. |
| Memory Sharing | Separate memory locations for each process. | Same memory allocated for all threads. |
| CPU Switching | Frequent CPU switching between tasks. | Frequent CPU switching between threads. |
| Processes | Involves multiprocessing with separate resources and memory. | Does not involve multiprocessing; shares same resources and memory. |
| CPU Utilization | The CPU executes multiple tasks at the same time. | The CPU executes multiple threads from a single process at the same time. |
In summary, multitasking allows the CPU to perform various tasks simultaneously, with each task having separate resources and memory, while multithreading enables the CPU to execute multiple threads from a single process, sharing the same resources and memory.
- Multiprocessing vs Multithreading
- Process vs Thread
- Multiprogramming vs Time Sharing Systems
- Runnable vs Thread
- Job Scheduling vs CPU Scheduling
- Task vs Activity
- Threading vs Waxing
- Threading vs Tweezing
- Dual Core vs Quad Core
- Semaphore vs Mutex
- Working Memory vs Short Term Memory
- Processor vs Microprocessor
- Work vs Job
- CPU vs RAM
- Parallel vs Distributed Computing
- Time Sharing vs Real Time Operating System
- RAM vs Processor
- Division of Labour vs Specialization
- Clock speed vs Processor speed