Question

However, what is the process called when we execute some commands from one process, then suspend that process and execute some commands from the next process, and so on?

1) Multitasking
2) Multiprocessing
3) Time-sharing
4) Context switching

Answer 1

Context switching is the term used to describe the operation of executing, suspending, and resuming multiple processes on a CPU to enable multitasking and time-sharing within an operating system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process described, wherein commands from one process are executed, then suspended to execute commands from another process, and continuing this cycle is known as context switching. This is a critical function in operating systems that supports multitasking by allowing multiple processes to share a single CPU. During context switching, the state of a process is saved so that it can be resumed from the same point when its turn comes again. This differs from a system that follows the same path every cycle (cyclic) or different paths (acyclic). In context switching, the CPU's time is divided among processes, which is a feature of time-sharing systems.