Description: A lightweight process, also known as a thread of execution, is a unit of execution within a process that can be scheduled by the operating system. Unlike a traditional process, which has its own memory space and resources, lightweight processes share the same memory space and resources of the parent process. This allows for more efficient communication between threads, as they can access the same variables and data structures without the need for complex inter-process communication mechanisms. Lightweight processes are particularly useful in applications that require performing multiple tasks simultaneously, such as web servers or data processing applications. Their implementation can vary across different operating systems, but they are generally managed through thread libraries, such as pthreads or similar constructs in other environments. The ability to create and manage multiple threads within a single process allows developers to optimize the performance and efficiency of their applications, making the most of system resources like CPU cores. In summary, lightweight processes are fundamental for concurrent and parallel programming, enabling developers to build faster and more responsive applications.
