When should I use concurrent programming instead of parallel programming?

What’s the difference between concurrent and parallel programming?

Concurrent programming allows multiple tasks to make progress without necessarily running at the same time, while parallel programming involves executing multiple tasks simultaneously.

When should I choose concurrent programming over parallel programming?

You should choose concurrent programming when tasks are I/O-bound and need to wait for external resources, while parallel programming is better for CPU-bound tasks that can be executed simultaneously.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of concurrent programming is a web server handling multiple requests at once, while parallel programming could be a program that processes large datasets using multiple CPU cores.

Are there any downsides to using concurrent programming?

Yes, concurrent programming can introduce complexity with managing shared resources and may lead to issues like race conditions if not handled properly.