What is process

The process is an instance of a program that is being executed. Processes are managed by the operating system (OS).

A process in a computer is a program that is currently running.

Program vs. Process:

A program is just a file with instructions (e.g., a game or an app you install).

A process happens when you open or run that program, making it active. 

How it's work?

When you launch an application, the OS creates a process for it.

The process has a unique Process ID (PID), which is used to manage it.

Processes can have child processes. For example: If you open a web browser (parent process) and open tabs, each tab might be a child process.  

A process affects the CPU, memory, and other resources because it requires these components to perform its tasks.

How processes interact with key system resources:

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• What Happens:
  • A process runs by sending instructions to the CPU for execution.
  • The CPU divides its time among all active processes, switching between them rapidly (this is called multitasking or time-sharing).
• Impact:
  • High CPU Usage: A process that requires complex calculations or constant processing can monopolize the CPU, leaving less time for other processes. This can make the system slow or unresponsive.
  • Example: Running a video editing program or a game often uses a lot of CPU.

---

2. Memory (RAM)

• What Happens:
  • A process stores its temporary data and instructions in the computer's RAM for quick access.
  • If the process requires more memory than available, the system may use slower storage (swap space) to handle the overflow.
• Impact:
  • High Memory Usage: A memory-heavy process can leave little RAM for other processes, causing system slowdowns or crashes.
  • Example: A browser with many open tabs can consume large amounts of RAM.

---

3. Disk I/O (Input/Output)

• What Happens:
  • Processes read and write data to the disk (e.g., saving a file, loading a program).
• Impact:
  • High Disk Usage: When a process constantly reads/writes to the disk, it can slow down other processes trying to access the disk.
  • Example: A backup program copying files to a disk may affect the performance of other applications.

---

4. Network Bandwidth

• What Happens:
  • Processes that send or receive data over the internet use network bandwidth.
• Impact:
  • High Network Usage: A process using a lot of bandwidth can slow down the internet for other applications.
  • Example: Downloading large files or streaming high-definition videos can cause this issue.

---

5. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

• What Happens:
  • Processes like games or video editing software send rendering and computation tasks to the GPU.
• Impact:
  • High GPU Usage: A process that demands a lot of GPU resources can make the display laggy or affect other GPU-dependent tasks.
  • Example: Playing a modern 3D game at high settings can fully utilize the GPU.

---

6. Power and Heat

• What Happens:
  • When a process consumes more resources (CPU, GPU, disk, etc.), the computer draws more power and generates more heat.
• Impact:
• High Power Usage: Leads to shorter battery life in laptops or higher electricity costs for desktops/servers.
• Overheating: Can cause the system to throttle (reduce speed) or shut down to prevent damage.
• Example: Running a cryptocurrency miner at full load can overheat the hardware.

Note: CPU Time2