2.1.5 Thinking Concurrently

Question 1

Concurrent thinking

Answer 1

• the process of completing more than one task concurrently
• does not always mean you have to be working in Multiple tasks at once
• involves giving time slices to different tasks
• parts of a problem which are related can often be solved concurrently

Question 2

Concurrent processing

Answer 2

• multiple processes being executed at the same time/ appearing to be happening simultaneously [1]
• by giving processes a slice of processor time [1]
• one process may need to start before a second has finished [1]

Question 3

Concurrent processing != parallel processing

Answer 3

• parallel processing is when multiple processors are used to compete more than one task simultaneously
• whereas in concurrent processing, each task is given a slice of processor time to make it appear as if tasks are being completed simultaneously => In reality tasks are executed sequentially

Question 4

Concurrent processing benefits

Answer 4

• more tasks can be completed in the same time frame
• less time is wasted waiting for an input or user interaction so other tasks can be completed in this time

Question 5

Concurrent processing drawbacks