What is context switching in technology?

What is context switching in technology?

Context switching in technology refers to the process of storing and restoring the state of a CPU so that multiple processes can share a single CPU resource. It allows a system to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

Why is context switching important in computing?

It's important because it enables multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously without significant performance loss.

What are the downsides of context switching?

The downsides include increased overhead, as switching contexts can consume CPU time, and potential performance degradation if too many processes are switched frequently.

How does context switching affect system performance?

Frequent context switching can lead to performance bottlenecks, as the CPU spends more time switching between tasks rather than executing them.

Can you give examples of context switching in everyday technology?

Sure! Examples include switching between apps on a smartphone or managing multiple browser tabs on a computer.