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Processes, threads and multithreading

Your guide: Miss HiraExplains computers with chai, cricket and your phone.

One browser, three jobs

A process is an independent program being executed. It has its own memory space, CPU time and other resources, such as files or network connections. Processes are kept apart, so a problem in one generally does not affect another.

A thread is the smallest unit of execution inside a process. One process can hold many threads, each doing a different task. All threads of a process share its memory and resources, but each runs independently.

Your book's browser is one process. Inside it, one thread loads and draws the web page, a second plays audio or video, and another downloads files. So the page keeps loading while the video plays, and you never wait for one task to finish.

Multithreading is the OS technique of dividing one process's work into threads. Your book gives four benefits: better performance, better responsiveness, support for parallel operations, and efficient use of resources, because threads need fewer resources than separate processes.

Responsiveness example: a word processor lets you keep typing while another thread checks spelling in the background. Parallel work matters most in games, video editing and real-time communication tools.

Process: own memory, isolated. Thread: inside a process, shares its memory, runs independently. Many threads = one app doing many things at once.

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Notes, short questions and MCQs

Read the full notes: key terms, model answers and MCQs with answers

One browser, three jobs

A process is an independent program being executed. It has its own memory space, CPU time and other resources, such as files or network connections. Processes are kept apart, so a problem in one generally does not affect another.

A thread is the smallest unit of execution inside a process. One process can hold many threads, each doing a different task. All threads of a process share its memory and resources, but each runs independently.

Your book's browser is one process. Inside it, one thread loads and draws the web page, a second plays audio or video, and another downloads files. So the page keeps loading while the video plays, and you never wait for one task to finish.

Multithreading is the OS technique of dividing one process's work into threads. Your book gives four benefits: better performance, better responsiveness, support for parallel operations, and efficient use of resources, because threads need fewer resources than separate processes.

Responsiveness example: a word processor lets you keep typing while another thread checks spelling in the background. Parallel work matters most in games, video editing and real-time communication tools.

Process: own memory, isolated. Thread: inside a process, shares its memory, runs independently. Many threads = one app doing many things at once.

Key terms

Process
Running a program apart from others, for stability and security.
Thread
Doing one task inside a process, sharing its memory.
Multithreading
Splitting one process's work into threads.
Responsiveness
Keeping an app usable while one thread is busy.

Short questions with model answers

  1. Q1. Long Question 3, second part (p. 17): explain how multithreading improves performance.

    • Define it.
    • Give the benefits.
    • Add an example.

    Work is split into threads that run in parallel and share memory, so the app is faster, stays responsive and uses fewer resources.

  2. Q2. Your browser's video thread freezes. Why does the whole computer not crash?

    • Find the process.
    • Use isolation.

    The trouble stays inside the browser process; other processes keep their own memory and carry on.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ Saying each thread has its own separate memory space.

    ✓ Threads of one process share the same memory and resources. Separate memory belongs to processes.

  • ✗ Calling a thread a separate program.

    ✓ A thread lives inside a process; the browser is one process with many threads.

  • ✗ Writing that threads use more resources than processes.

    ✓ Sharing the parent's memory means threads need fewer resources than separate processes.

MCQs

  1. 1. Threads in the same process:

    1. (a) Have separate memory spaces
    2. (b) Share the same memory and resources
    3. (c) Run on different OS
    4. (d) Cannot run simultaneously
    Show answer

    (b) Exercise MCQ 7 (p. 16); key p. 18; 1.5, p. 11.

  2. 2. What is the smallest unit of execution within a process?

    1. (a) A file
    2. (b) A device driver
    3. (c) A user account
    4. (d) A thread
    Show answer

    (d) 1.5, p. 11.

  3. 3. A word processor checks spelling while you keep typing. Which benefit is this?

    1. (a) Improved responsiveness
    2. (b) Process isolation
    3. (c) Virtual memory
    4. (d) FCFS scheduling
    Show answer

    (a) 1.5.2, p. 11.

  4. 4. Why does a problem in one process generally not affect another?

    1. (a) They share one memory
    2. (b) They have no CPU time
    3. (c) Processes are isolated from one another
    4. (d) They run on the shell
    Show answer

    (c) 1.5, p. 10.

  5. 5. Why do threads use resources efficiently?

    1. (a) They never use the CPU
    2. (b) They store data in virtual memory only
    3. (c) They run one after another only
    4. (d) They share their parent process's memory and resources
    Show answer

    (d) 1.5.2, p. 12.

Quick revision

  • A process is a running program with its own memory and resources, isolated from other processes.
  • A thread is the smallest unit of execution inside a process; threads share the process's memory.
  • Multithreading gives better performance, responsiveness, parallel work and efficient use of resources.

Before you start

What is Class 10 Computer Science Processes, threads and multithreading?
Processes, threads and multithreading is the open Class 10 Computer Science lesson for Matric Part 2, Punjab board. It is a step-by-step lesson, not a PDF of the book.
Which boards is this Class 10 Computer Science lesson for?
The same Punjab textbook: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal.
Can I study this in Urdu?
Yes. English, Urdu or Roman Urdu. Science terms stay as the exam writes them.
Is this a notes PDF?
No. The book stays with you. This page is the lesson and the check.

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