How is multithreading implemented on a single-processor system with one core?
sobes.tech AI
Answer from AI
On a single-processor system with one core, multithreading is implemented through the task scheduler mechanism of the operating system, which quickly switches execution between threads, creating the illusion of simultaneous work. This process is called cooperative or preemptive multitasking.
The scheduler allocates a small amount of time (time quantum) to each thread for execution, after which it switches to the next thread. Thus, although only one thread is physically running at any given moment, the switching occurs so quickly that the user perceives the work as parallel.
Example: in iOS, multithreading is implemented through GCD (Grand Central Dispatch) or NSThread, which use the system scheduler to distribute time among threads.