Parallel Programming in Web Browsers

Parallel Programming in Web Browsers:

1. Basic Concept of Parallel Programming:

• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Example: Instead of one person doing a single task, many people work together to complete multiple tasks at the same time.

2. Example of Parallel Programming in the Browser:

const worker1 = new Worker('worker1.js');
const worker2 = new Worker('worker2.js');

// One worker is processing an image
worker1.postMessage({task: 'processImage'});

// Another worker is calculating data
worker2.postMessage({task: 'calculateData'});

3. Benefits:

• Prevents browser from hanging.
• Ensures the website runs smoothly.
• Tasks complete faster.

4. Real-Life Example: Similar to tasks in a kitchen:

• One person is chopping vegetables.
• Another person is cleaning fish.
• Another is washing rice.
• All tasks are happening simultaneously.

5. When Needed in Browsers:

• Large file uploads/downloads.
• Video editing.
• Games.
• Heavy calculations.

6. Core Components:

• Web Workers (separate threads).
• SharedArrayBuffer (memory sharing).
• MessageChannel (communication).

7. Limitations:

• Cannot manipulate the DOM.
• Cannot directly share variables with the main thread.
• Uses additional memory.

Thus, parallel programming makes browsers faster and more efficient, especially for heavy computations or large data processing tasks.