What are the alternatives to Python threads?

What are the alternatives to using threads in Python?

There are several alternatives to using threads in Python, such as multiprocessing, asyncio, and concurrent.futures. Would you like to know more about any specific option?

Can you explain how multiprocessing works?

Sure! The multiprocessing module allows you to create separate processes, each with its own Python interpreter. This is useful for CPU-bound tasks as it bypasses the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL).

What about asyncio? How does it differ from threads?

Asyncio is designed for I/O-bound tasks and uses an event loop to manage asynchronous operations. Unlike threads, it doesn't create new OS threads, which can lead to lower overhead and better performance for certain applications.

Are there any downsides to using multiprocessing?

Yes, multiprocessing can have higher memory usage and overhead due to the need to serialize data between processes. It also requires more complex code for inter-process communication.