Thread Library vs. Multiprocessing: Which is Better?

What are the main differences between using a thread library and multiprocessing in Python?

The main differences lie in how they handle tasks. Thread libraries use threads to run tasks concurrently within the same process, while multiprocessing creates separate processes, allowing for true parallelism.

When should I choose multiprocessing over threading?

You should choose multiprocessing when your tasks are CPU-bound and require significant processing power, as it can utilize multiple CPU cores effectively.

Are there any downsides to using multiprocessing?

Yes, multiprocessing can have higher overhead due to the need to create separate processes and manage inter-process communication, which can slow down performance for I/O-bound tasks.

Can you give an example of a situation where threading is more beneficial?

Threading is more beneficial in I/O-bound tasks, such as web scraping or network operations, where waiting for external resources is the bottleneck.