What are the performance differences between thread pools and process pools?

What are the performance differences between thread pools and process pools?

Thread pools use threads to manage tasks, while process pools use separate processes. Generally, thread pools are lighter and faster for I/O-bound tasks, while process pools are better for CPU-bound tasks due to isolation.

Can you explain why process pools are better for CPU-bound tasks?

Process pools can utilize multiple CPU cores effectively since each process runs in its own memory space, avoiding the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) that can limit threads in Python.

What are some use cases for each type of pool?

Thread pools are great for web servers handling many simultaneous connections, while process pools are ideal for data processing tasks that require heavy computation.

Are there any downsides to using process pools?

Yes, process pools have higher overhead due to the need for inter-process communication and more memory usage compared to thread pools.