What is multiprogramming in operating systems?
a) A technique where multiple programs are loaded into memory and executed concurrently
b) A system where only one program can run at a time
c) A method for managing virtual memory
d) A scheduling algorithm for prioritizing processes
Answer:
a) A technique where multiple programs are loaded into memory and executed concurrently
Explanation:
Multiprogramming is a technique used by operating systems to load multiple programs into memory at the same time, allowing the CPU to switch between them and execute them concurrently. This improves system utilization by ensuring that the CPU is always executing some process, even when others are waiting for I/O operations.
By keeping multiple programs in memory, the OS can switch between them whenever a process becomes idle, such as when waiting for input or output. This ensures that CPU resources are not wasted, leading to higher system efficiency.
Multiprogramming is an important feature in modern operating systems, as it allows multiple tasks to run concurrently, improving both responsiveness and throughput.