Define context switch?

A context switch is the process of saving and restoring the state of a CPU so that it can execute multiple tasks concurrently. This allows the CPU to quickly switch between different tasks or processes, giving the appearance of multitasking. Context switches are necessary for efficient multitasking and are typically managed by the operating system.

Context switch is the process of saving the state of a process or thread and then loading the state of another process or thread so that the CPU can execute the latter. This is typically done when the currently running process or thread needs to wait for some event, such as input from the user or data from a disk drive. While the process or thread is waiting, the CPU can execute another process or thread that is ready to run.

Context switches can be expensive, as they require the CPU to save and load a large amount of data. The cost of a context switch can vary depending on the architecture of the CPU and the operating system.

Context switches are an essential part of multitasking operating systems. They allow multiple processes or threads to share the same CPU, which improves performance and utilization.