Monday, April 11, 2011

MULTIPROGRAMMING

Multiprogramming is one of the more basic types of parallel processing that can be employed in many different environments. Essentially, multiprogramming makes it possible for several programs to be active at the same time, while still running through a single processor. The functionality of multiprogramming in this environment involves a continual process of sequentially accomplishing tasks associated with the function of one program, then moving on to run a task associated with the next program.






Multiprogramming is very different from the multiprocessing because even though there may be several programs currently active, the uniprocessor is not simultaneously executing commands for all the programs. Instead, the processor addresses each program, executes a single command, then moves on to the next program in the queue. The previous program remains active, but enters into a passive state until the uniprocessor returns to the front of the queue and executes a second command.

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