|
An early computer term for what is commonly known as multitasking. Both systems involve a single computer processor executing multiple processes in an apparently simultaneous manner. Time-sharing, as originally conceived, refers to a computer supporting multiple simultaneous users, while multitasking more broadly terms the simultaneous execution of multiple processes? (regardless of the number of users.) |
|
An approach to interactive computing in which a single computer is used to provide apparently simultaneous interactive general-purpose computing to multiple users by sharing processor time. |
|
In the 1950s, as mainframe computers became more powerful, it became obvious that their single-user limitation was wasting valuable resources. As computers often spend much of their time idly waiting for user input, it was determined that multiple users could share a machine, by using one user's idle time to service other users. Similarly, small slices of time spent waiting for disk, tape, or network input could be granted to other users. |
|
Time-sharing is related to multitasking in that both systems involve a single computer processor executing multiple processes in an apparently simultaneous manner. Time-sharing, however, refers to a computer supporting multiple simultaneous users, while multitasking more broadly terms the simultaneous execution of multiple processes? (regardless of the number of users.) Because early mainframe computers were extremely expensive, it was not possible to allow a single user exclusive access to the machine for interactive use. But because computers in interactive use often spend much of their time idly waiting for user input, it was suggested that multiple users could share a machine by using one user's idle time to service other users. Similarly, small slices of time spent waiting for disk, tape, or network input could be granted to other users. |
|
For a more information, see Computer multitasking. |
|
See Computer multitasking. |
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)