Which term describes overlapping execution of processes sharing resources?

Which term describes overlapping execution of processes sharing resources?

• A. Concurrent Processes
• B. Serial Processes
• C. Batch Processes
• D. Real-Time Processes

Answer: (A)

Overlapping execution of processes sharing resources describes concurrency. When multiple processes make progress at overlapping time intervals, the operating system schedules them so their runs interleave, often sharing resources like CPU, memory, and I/O devices. This allows multiple tasks to appear to run at the same time, even on a single processor, through rapid context switches. The term captures the idea of overlapping progress rather than strictly simultaneous execution. Serial processes run one after another with no overlap, so they don’t fit. Batch processes are grouped jobs executed in sequence, usually without interactive overlap. Real-time processes focus on meeting timing constraints, which is about deadlines rather than overlap itself.

Overlapping execution of processes sharing resources describes concurrency. When multiple processes make progress at overlapping time intervals, the operating system schedules them so their runs interleave, often sharing resources like CPU, memory, and I/O devices. This allows multiple tasks to appear to run at the same time, even on a single processor, through rapid context switches. The term captures the idea of overlapping progress rather than strictly simultaneous execution.

Serial processes run one after another with no overlap, so they don’t fit. Batch processes are grouped jobs executed in sequence, usually without interactive overlap. Real-time processes focus on meeting timing constraints, which is about deadlines rather than overlap itself.