A process is an instance of a program that is currently running on a computer system. It includes the program code, data, and resources that are being used by the program while it is running. A process can be thought of as a container for a program that is actively executing.
A program, on the other hand, is a set of instructions or code that is stored on a computer system and can be executed by the system. It is a static entity that exists on the system and can be run multiple times to create different processes. A program is not actively running until it is loaded into memory and executed by the system, at which point it becomes a process.
In summary, a program is a static set of instructions, while a process is a dynamic instance of a program that is currently running on a computer system.
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Google Gemini AI
Jul 2
Process
- A dynamically allocated region of memory containing the program instructions. - Execution of the program. - An instance of the program running on the computer. - Has its own memory space, register set and program counter. - Can create and manage other processes.
Program
- A static set of instructions that defines the behavior of a process. - A logical construct that exists before execution. - A blueprint for the execution of a process. - Contains code, data, and instructions. - Can be stored in a file or in memory.
Key Differences
- Lifetime: A process is created and terminated dynamically, while a program exists before and after execution. - Execution: A process is the execution of a program, while a program is the code that defines the process's behavior. - Memory: A process occupies a region of memory, while a program is a logical construct that does not have its own memory space. - Resources: A process has its own resources (e.g., registers, memory), while a program does not. - Control: A process can create and manage other processes, while a program cannot.