The latest articles on DEV Community by bojack (@jesterhead). https://dev.to/jesterhead https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4067753%2F03e031f7-1523-4b6f-88f7-b7327fcd2882.png https://dev.to/jesterhead en bojack Sat, 08 Aug 2026 08:17:14 +0000 https://dev.to/jesterhead/processes-and-threads-in-operating-systems-21mo https://dev.to/jesterhead/processes-and-threads-in-operating-systems-21mo <h5> Process </h5> <p>In an Operating System, Any program that is currently in execution is called a Process.</p> <p>Every process has some unique attributes that allows the OS to control it. These attributes are stored inside a structure called the Process Control Block (PCB).</p> <p>Some of the attributes are:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Process Id (PID):</strong> Used to identify a process</li> <li> <strong>Process State:</strong> Displays the current state of a process (waiting, running, terminated).</li> <li> <strong>File Descriptors:</strong> Information about open files and networks</li> <li> <strong>Memory Management Information:</strong> Details about the allocated memory space to the process and memory structure of the process (stack, heap, etc)</li> </ul> <h5> Thread </h5> <p>A thread is the smallest unit of execution. Many threads work inside a single process to run multiple tasks concurrently.</p> <p>Each thread has it's unique register, counter and stack, while all threads inside a process share code, data and operating system resources.</p> <p>A single thread process can only accomplish one task at a time. Example- most CLI tools</p> <p>A multithread process can accomplish multiple tasks at a time. Example- Browsers (Can display web page and download a file at the same time)</p> <p>Benefits of multithreading:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Improves Performance:</strong> Running different tasks along multiple threads allow for faster execution, better performance and CPU utilization.</li> <li> <strong>Improves Responsiveness:</strong> If one thread is busy executing a heavy action, other threads can still process user input or other tasks. This results in responsiveness and better user experience.</li> <li> <strong>Efficient Resource Sharing:</strong> Threads share the same memory and resources within a process which makes data sharing and communication faster.</li> </ul> <h5> Difference Between Process and Thread: </h5> <div class="table-wrapper-paragraph"><table> <thead> <tr> <th>Process</th> <th>Thread</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>A program in execution</td> <td>A unit of execution inside a process</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Independent. Has it's own address space and resources</td> <td>Shares the memory space and resources of it's parent process with other threads</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Takes more time to create and terminate</td> <td>faster to create and terminate</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Heavyweight</td> <td>Lightweight</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Requires explicit protocol to communicate with other processes</td> <td>Can communicate directly with other threads using shared memory</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> computerscience software softwareengineering