Explain the difference between a process and a program.

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Explain the difference between a process and a program.

A process is an instance of a program that is currently being executed. It is an active entity that is managed by the operating system and has its own memory space, execution state, and system resources. A process can be seen as a running program that performs a specific task.

On the other hand, a program is a set of instructions or code written in a programming language that is stored on a storage device, such as a hard disk. It is a passive entity that exists as a file and does not have an execution state or system resources associated with it. A program becomes a process when it is loaded into memory and executed by the operating system.

In summary, a program is a static entity that resides on a storage device, while a process is a dynamic entity that is created when a program is loaded into memory and executed by the operating system.