Operating System Questions Medium
In an operating system, a process and a program are two distinct concepts.
A program is a set of instructions written in a programming language that performs a specific task. It is a passive entity stored on a storage medium, such as a hard disk or flash drive. Programs are typically created by software developers and are designed to be executed by a computer.
On the other hand, a process is an active entity that represents the execution of a program. When a program is loaded into the memory and executed, it becomes a process. A process includes the program code, data, and resources required to execute the program. It is managed by the operating system and has its own unique process identifier (PID).
The main difference between a process and a program is that a program is a static entity, while a process is a dynamic entity. A program exists as a file on a storage medium, whereas a process exists in the computer's memory during its execution. Multiple processes can be created from a single program, allowing for concurrent execution and multitasking.
Furthermore, a process can have multiple threads, which are smaller units of execution within a process. Threads share the same resources and memory space within a process, allowing for parallel execution and improved performance.
In summary, a program is a passive set of instructions stored on a storage medium, while a process is an active entity representing the execution of a program in the computer's memory.