Process and Thread are fundamental units of execution in computing, but they differ in structure and resource usage. A Process is an independent program in execution, with its own memory space and system resources, representing an isolated unit of work. Thread, however, is a smaller, lightweight sub-unit within a process, sharing the same memory space with other threads in the same process, allowing for more efficient and concurrent task execution.

What is a Process?

A process is an independent program in execution that has its own memory space and system resources. Each process operates in its own address space and is isolated from other processes, ensuring that one process cannot directly interfere with another. Processes are ideal for executing large-scale applications that require significant resources and isolation.

Examples of Processes:

1. A web browser running multiple tabs and extensions.
2. A word processing application like Microsoft Word.
3. A media player streaming music or videos.

What is a Thread?

A thread is a smaller unit of execution within a process that shares the same memory space and resources with other threads in the same process. Threads are used to perform tasks concurrently within a single process, allowing for efficient multitasking and parallelism without the overhead of creating multiple processes.

Examples of Threads:

1. A web browser using separate threads for rendering pages and handling user input.
2. A word processing application managing text input, spell check, and autosave in different threads.
3. A media player buffering and playing media in separate threads.

Difference Between Process and Thread

Basis	Process	Thread
Definition	An independent unit of execution with its own memory space and system resources.	A smaller unit of execution within a process that shares memory and resources with other threads in the same process.
Memory Space	Each process has its own separate memory space.	Threads share the same memory space within a process.
Resource Allocation	Requires separate system resources for each process.	Shares resources with other threads in the same process.
Isolation	High isolation from other processes, preventing interference.	Low isolation, as threads within the same process can access shared memory.
Communication	Inter-process communication (IPC) is required, which can be complex.	Inter-thread communication is easier and faster due to shared memory.
Creation Overhead	Higher overhead due to the need for separate memory and resources.	Lower overhead, as threads share resources with the parent process.
Examples	A file manager application running as a separate process.	Threads within a file manager handling different tasks like file browsing and copying.