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From: jb10320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Desdinova)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: What is multitasking?
Summary: ramblings from an anal retentive CS-type person...
Message-ID: <1990Nov6.013239.7125@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 6 Nov 90 01:32:39 GMT
References: <9736.apple.net@pro-angmar>
Sender: news@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (News)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Lines: 42

In article <9736.apple.net@pro-angmar> kgreen@pro-angmar.UUCP (Kevin Green) writes:
>In-Reply-To: message from hzink@alchemy.UUCP
>I will concede, now, that the Mac line does not multitask. However, if we are
>to judge which machines _do_ multitask, then only machines such as the
>"Connection Machine" which use multiple processors, can actually multitask.
>All other 'multi-tasking' is actually splitting the processing cycles of a
>single CPU among several 'processes'. By that definition, I'd say even the
>Multifinder 'multi-tasks'.

  Okay, well that's not exactly the definition of "multitasking". My CS
classes are getting the best of me right now, so I'll throw out the
accepted definitions of terms.

multiprogram (multitask) - one CPU splitting execution time between different
	programs.
preemptive multitasking- the operating system very specifically controls
	which programs run when, and for how long, using interrupts
 	for switching, and having many other additions to increase
	CPU usage.
multiprocess - two or many CPUs executing different programs (usually
	each CPU is multiprogrammed)

Now, by the very first definition, the Mac AND the GS multitask.
By the second, neither.  MultiFinder is NOT preemptive (which is assumed
these days when talking about multitasking).  The Mac has no control
over programs that blow up, or decide to hog all CPU time, or whatever.
Therefore, neither the MacOS or GS/OS multitask (yet).

>And if you _really_ want to get technical, there is still only one CPU that
>can multitask: an organic brain. (And I know of some of those that aren't too
>good at it...maybe they need System 7 :)   )

Ahh.. actually, multi-process.  The brain is indeed the greatest machine
ever to exist on this earth.  My goal is to duplicate it someday...
so I can have it write all the NDA's I think of! :-)

--
Jawaid Bazyar               | Blondes in big black cars look better wearing
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jb10320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu    |      The gin, the gin, glows in the Dark!
   Apple II Forever!        |                             (B O'Cult)
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