Computer multitasking definition of Computer multitasking in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

cooperative multitasking [kō‚äp·rəd·iv ′məl·tə‚task·iŋ]

(computer science)

A method of running more than one program on a computer at a time in which the program currently in control of the processor retains the control until it yields the control to another program voluntarily, which it can do only at certain points in the program. Also known as nonpreemptive multitasking.

(parallel, operating system)

cooperative multitasking - A form of multitasking where it is the responsibility of the currently running task to give up the processor to allow other tasks to run. This contrasts with pre-emptive multitasking where the task scheduler periodically suspends the running task and restarts another.

Cooperative multitasking requires the programmer to place calls at suitable points in his code to allow his task to be descheduled which is not always easy if there is no obvious top-level main loop or some routines run for a long time. If a task does not allow itself to be descheduled all other tasks on the system will appear to "freeze" and will not respond to user action.

The advantage of cooperative multitasking is that the programmer knows where the program will be descheduled and can make sure that this will not cause unwanted interaction with other processes. Under pre-emptive multitasking, the scheduler must ensure that sufficient state for each process is saved and restored that they will not interfere. Thus cooperative multitasking can have lower overheads than pre-emptive multitasking because of the greater control it offers over when a task may be descheduled.

Cooperative multitasking is used in RISC OS, Microsoft Windows and Macintosh System 7.

Mentioned in	?		Encyclopedia browser	?		Full browser	?
No references found			computer exchange computer file computer flea market computer forensics computer game computer geek Computer Generation Incorporated computer graphics computer graphics interface computer graphics metafile Computer History Museum Computer Information File computer input from microfilm Computer Integrated Manufacturing computer language Computer Language for AeronauticS and Programming computer law computer lexicographer computer literacy Computer Management Group of Australia Computer Mathematics Computer Mediated Communication Computer Memory computer modeling computer monitoring Computer multitasking Computer Museum History Center computer music computer nerd Computer Network computer networking computer numerical control computer operation computer output microfilm computer output on microfilm Computer Output to Laser Disc Computer Output to Laser Disk computer part programming computer performance evaluation Computer peripheral devices computer power Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility computer program computer programming Computer Recycling Center computer revolution computer science computer security Computer Security Act Computer Select computer services			Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Computer Methods and Water Resources Computer methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering Computer Methods International Corporation Computer Misuse & Anomaly Detection Computer misuse act Computer Misuse Detection System Computer model Computer model Computer Model for Feasibility Analysis and Reporting Computer modeling Computer modeling Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences Computer Modeling System for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Computer models Computer Models for the Building Industry in Europe Computer Models of Thought and Language Computer modem Computer modem Computer modem Computer Monitor Computer monitoring Computer monitors Computer Motion Inc. computer mouse Computer Multimedia and Animation Technology Computer multitasking Computer museum Computer Museum History Center Computer Museum of America Computer Music Computer Music Modeling and Retrieval Computer Music Product Guide Computer Music Productions Online Computer Navigation Fix Computer nerd Computer nerd Computer nerds Computer nerds Computer Nerds To Go computer network computer network computer network Computer Network Administrator Computer Network and System Administration computer network attack computer network attack computer network attack Computer Network Attack/Computer Network Defense Computer Network Consultants Computer Network Consulting Krapohl Computer Network Corporation computer network defense computer network defense Computer Network Defense Policy Computer Network Defense Service Provider Computer Network Engineer

cooperative multitasking (redirected from Computer multitasking)

cooperative multitasking
(redirected from Computer multitasking)