What are the differences between a thread pool and a process pool?

What are the differences between a thread pool and a process pool?

A thread pool uses multiple threads within a single process, while a process pool uses multiple processes. Thread pools are generally lighter and faster due to shared memory, but process pools provide better isolation and stability.

Can you explain why I would choose one over the other?

You might choose a thread pool for tasks that require a lot of shared data and low overhead, while a process pool is better for CPU-bound tasks that need isolation and can benefit from multiple CPU cores.

What are some examples of tasks suitable for each?

For thread pools, tasks like web server requests or I/O operations are suitable. For process pools, tasks like data processing or heavy computations are ideal.

Are there any downsides to using thread pools?

Yes, thread pools can lead to issues like thread contention and deadlocks if not managed properly, especially in complex applications.