What is the difference between a Multiprogramming and Multiprocessing system? What are distributed systems?

Question

What is the difference between a Multiprogramming and Multiprocessing system? What are distributed systems?

Answer 1

Multi programming = several programs running at a time. Like Windows..with many programs open.

Multi processing - using several processors for working..eg supercomputers

Distributed system- using the network for distributing a task between many computers and giving the end result as though it is from one computer.

Answer 2

You have a lot to learn about the difference between these three. I'll give the basic differences. In all these three there are more than one program executing at a time. But...

Multiprograming: In multiprogramming systems, the running task keeps running until it performs an operation that requires waiting for an external event (e.g. reading from a tape) or until the computer's scheduler forcibly swaps the running task out of the CPU. Multiprogramming systems are designed to maximize CPU usage.

Multitasking: In computing, multitasking is a method by which multiple tasks, also known as processes, share common processing resources such as a CPU. In the case of a computer with a single CPU, only one task is said to be running at any point in time, meaning that the CPU is actively executing instructions for that task. Multitasking solves the problem by scheduling which task may be the one running at any given time, and when another waiting task gets a turn. The act of reassigning a CPU from one task to another one is called a context switch.

Multiprocessing: Multiprocessing is a generic term for the use of two or more central processing units (CPUs) within a single computer system. There are many variations on this basic theme, and the definition of multiprocessing can vary with context, mostly as a function of how CPUs are defined (multiple cores on one die, multiple chips in one package, multiple packages in one system unit, etc.).

Multiprocessing sometimes refers to the execution of multiple concurrent software processes in a system as opposed to a single process at any one instant.

Ok? :)