Process vs. Thread in Java

10 Sept 2024 | 4 min read

Regarding concurrent programming in Java, there are two options for executing many tasks simultaneously: processes and threads. While they both provide comparable advantages, there are some significant distinctions between them. Here's a table that compares Java processes and threads:

Process	Thread
A self-contained program that runs in its memory area.	A lightweight execution unit within a process.
Each process has its memory area that is not shared by any other process.	A process's threads share the same memory area.
Inter-process communication (IPC) is essential for process communication.	Inter-thread communication (ITC) may be done quickly and easily using shared memory.
Developing a new method is a costly endeavor.	It is relatively inexpensive to start a new thread.
Switching between processes incurs significant overhead.	It is less costly to switch between threads inside a process.
Processes can execute on different CPUs, allowing for real parallelism.	Threads can only execute on one CPU at a time and can only provide pseudo-parallelism.
When one process fails, it does not affect the other processes.	If one thread fails, the entire process may suffer.
Because of the expense associated with designing and monitoring processes, they are less scalable.	Threads are more scalable since they are lightweight and easier to build and manage.
Because processes cannot share memory, synchronization needs IPC techniques such as semaphores, mutexes, or pipes.	Threads inside a process can use shared memory and lock objects to synchronize.
Because of the expense of context switching, processes might require additional CPU resources.	Threads can use CPU resources more effectively since switching between them requires less overhead.
Debugging a multi-process application might be more difficult since each process operates independently.	Debugging a multithreaded program can be simplified since threads share the same memory space and can be debugged concurrently.
Processes are more secure because they execute in their memory area, decreasing the possibility of one process accessing the memory of another.	Threads are more exposed to security concerns since they share the same memory space and can directly access each other's memory.
Processes are more portable since they can execute on various operating systems with varying architectures.	Threads may be less portable because their behavior varies depending on the underlying operating system and hardware.
When a process crashes, it does not affect other processes operating on the system.	If a thread fails, the entire process might fail.
Processes have separate memory spaces, while threads share the same memory space as the parent process.	Threads can communicate with each other more easily and can access the same data structures.
Creating a new process is more resource-intensive than creating a new thread. A new process requires a separate memory space and operating system resources.	Using fewer operating system resources, a new thread can be created within the same memory space.
Processes are often used for processes that must be separated from one another.	Threads are used for operations that must cooperate.

MyProcess.java

Output:

Process exited with status 0

Explanation

The example shows how to start a new process in Java by utilizing the Runtime class. The exec() function initiates the process, while the waitFor() method waits for the process to complete before proceeding. Finally, the exitValue() function determines the process's exit state.

MyThread.java

Output:

Thread Thread 1 is running
Thread Thread 1 has finished

Explanation

The example shows how to start a new thread in Java. The Runnable interface describes the job the thread will complete, and the run() function is modified to give the task implementation. The Thread class starts a new thread by supplying an instance of the MyThread class and a thread name. The start() method initiates the thread, while the join() method waits for the thread to complete before proceeding. Finally, a message is written to indicate that the thread is complete.

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