Thread switching latency facts for kids
The thread switching latency is the time a computer's CPU (the computer's brain) needs to stop working on one small task, called a thread, and start working on another. Think of it like quickly switching between different jobs on your to-do list.
Contents
What is Thread Switching Latency?
When your computer runs programs, it breaks them down into tiny jobs called threads. The operating system (the main program that runs your computer) helps the CPU manage these jobs.
How the CPU Switches Threads
To switch from one thread to another, the CPU has to do a few things:
- It saves all the information about the current thread. This includes where it was in its work and what data it was using.
- It then loads all the information for the new thread it's about to start.
This saving and loading takes a very short amount of time. This tiny delay is what we call "thread switching latency."
Threads and Processes
Sometimes, threads belong to the same bigger program, called a process. Imagine a process is like a big project, and threads are the small steps to complete that project.
- Switching between threads within the same process is usually very fast. This is because they share a lot of the same resources.
- Switching to a thread from a completely different process takes a bit longer. This is because the computer has to do a more complex "Context switch" to get everything ready for the new program.
Related pages
