Which of the following statements correctly describes the difference in resource usage when switching execution between threads of the same process versus switching between two separate processes?
easy🧠 Technical Reasoning Q3 of Q15
Operating Systems - Process vs Thread - Key Differences
Which of the following statements correctly describes the difference in resource usage when switching execution between threads of the same process versus switching between two separate processes?
ASwitching between threads uses fewer resources because they share the same memory space.
BSwitching between threads requires saving and restoring more CPU registers than switching between processes.
CSwitching between processes is faster because each process has its own dedicated memory.
DSwitching between threads requires flushing the entire cache, unlike process switching.
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
Step 1: Understand resource sharing
Threads within the same process share memory and resources, so switching between them avoids overhead of memory management.
Step 2: Compare context switch overhead
Process switches require changing memory maps and more state saving, which is costlier than thread switches.
Final Answer:
Option A -> Option A
Quick Check:
Thread switches are lighter than process switches [OK]
Quick Trick:Threads share memory, so switching is lighter than between processes [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
Assuming thread switches require more CPU register saving
Believing process switches are faster due to dedicated memory
Thinking cache flush is mandatory on thread switch
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL
Option B looks plausible because threads share registers, but actually fewer registers are saved.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT
Tests understanding of context switch overhead differences between threads and processes.
Master "Process vs Thread - Key Differences" in Operating Systems
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