What is the difference between parallel and concurrent processing?

What is the difference between parallel and concurrent processing?

Parallel processing involves executing multiple tasks simultaneously, while concurrent processing involves managing multiple tasks at the same time but not necessarily executing them simultaneously.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! In parallel processing, a computer might use multiple cores to run different parts of a program at the same time. In concurrent processing, a single-core CPU might switch between tasks, giving the illusion of simultaneous execution.

Which one is more efficient?

It depends on the task. Parallel processing is generally more efficient for tasks that can be divided into smaller, independent sub-tasks, while concurrent processing is better for tasks that require frequent interaction or are I/O bound.

Are there any programming languages that support these concepts better?

Yes, languages like Go and Rust have built-in support for concurrency, while languages like C and C++ can leverage libraries for parallel processing.