Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!emory!mephisto!udel!mmdf
From: doug@fuji.ctc.contel.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Multifinder - Just the Facts, man.
Message-ID: <18410@snow-white.udel.EDU>
Date: 3 May 90 12:56:19 GMT
Sender: mmdf@udel.EDU
Lines: 35


You can argue definitions with someone else, but if you want to understand
the differences, the following may help ...

Program Swapping --  An attribute that describes an OS that voluntarily
or involuntarily  suspends of execution  of one task (application) for
execution of another task (application), where there is no formal
priority between tasks, and task swapping often requires user interaction.
   Example -- appA is running, user starts appB; so AppA is suspended
while AppB runs.
              User selects appA; so AppB is suspended and AppA picks up
where it left off.
   Example -- appA runs awhile and voluntarily releases the cpu, so
AppB can continue

Multitasking -- An attribute of an OS similar to Program Swapping,
except the cpu time is formally considered a resource that is "shared"
between tasks (applications), and there is some formal priority between
tasks, such that cpu time is delved out to applications without user
interaction, or task (application) behavior.
   Example -- appA and appB have the same priority.  The OS runs a
little of appA, then
              runs a little of appB, then a little of appA, then B, A, B, A, B, ...
              Note- if the computer is fast enough, then both
applications will appear
              to be running at the same time, and neither application explicitly
              releases the cpu.

Multiprocessing -- An attribute of a computer system, or an operating
system that allows two or more processors (usually cpus) executing
instructions at the same time.  Note- One could have  a
multiprocessing, single tasking computer (i.e. all processors working
on the same application, together)

   'Haid