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Uniprogramming vs Multiprogramming

 

What is uniprogramming?

 

Uniprogamming implies that only a single task or program is in the main memory at a particular time. It was more common in the initial computers and mobiles where one can run only a single application at a time.

 

Characteristics of Uniprogramming:

  1. It allows only one program to sit in the memory at one time.
  2. The size is small as only one program is present.
  3. The resources are allocated to the program that is in the memory at that time.

 

What is Multiprogramming?

 

Multiprogramming is where several programs can be run at the same time. The programs reside in the main memory or the RAM of the system at a time, and the operating system that handles multiple programs is known as a multiprogramming operating system.

 

Characteristics of Multiprogramming:

  1. The memory can hold several programs at a time. 
  2. The resources are allocated to different programs.
  3. The size of the memory is larger as compared to uniprogramming.

 

Uniprogramming vs Multiprogramming

 

UniProgrammingMultiProgramming
  1. In uniprogramming the system runs smoothly as only one task in a run at a time, it can function on a slow processor as well.
1. But for multiprogramming, the processor needs to be faster.
  1. The main memory has a smaller size in uniprogramming as only one task sits there at a time.
 2. In multiprogramming, the main memory needs more space. 

 

  1. A fixed-size partition is used in uniprogramming
 3. Both fixed and variable size partitions can be used in multiprogramming.
  • Some examples of uniprogramming are:

The operating system in old mobile phones, batch processing in old computers, etc.

 4. Some examples of  multiprogramming are:

The operating systems that are used in modern computers like Windows 10, etc.

 

References:

Operating system Uni vs Multi programming.