Multiprocessing

Multiprocessing is the concurrent execution of multiple processes using two or more processors or processor cores. It can increase throughput and allow tasks to run in parallel.

Symmetric multiprocessing: A multiprocessor architecture in which processors share memory and operating-system responsibilities. It is the common architecture for coordinating general-purpose multiprocessing on one machine.
Process (computing): An executing program instance with its own address space and operating-system resources. Multiprocessing assigns execution to multiple process instances rather than merely dividing one program's instructions.
Web server: Software that handles requests from clients and returns web content or services. Servers often handle many independent requests concurrently using multiple worker processes.
Multithreading: Concurrent execution of multiple threads within one process. Threads share a process address space, unlike separate processes with isolated address spaces.
Process scheduling: The operating system's selection of processes or threads to run on available processors. Scheduling determines which processes use each processor and when.
Central processing unit: The electronic component that executes program instructions and performs computational operations. Multiprocessing depends on multiple processing units or multiple cores within one unit.
Database management system: Software that stores, retrieves, and manages data in databases. Database systems use concurrent processes to serve requests and perform background work.
Distributed computing: Computation performed by multiple networked computers that coordinate to solve tasks. Distributed computing spans separate machines, while multiprocessing can use processors within one machine.
Interprocess communication: Mechanisms that let separate processes exchange data and coordinate their actions. Processes running concurrently need ways to share information and signal one another.
Multicore processor: A processor containing two or more independent processing cores on one integrated circuit. Multiple cores provide a common hardware basis for multiprocessing within a single computer.

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Computer clusterCompared with: A cluster spans separate computers, while multiprocessing can occur inside one machine.