How does multitasking differ between preemptive and cooperative multitasking?

How does multitasking differ between preemptive and cooperative multitasking?

• A. Preemptive uses the kernel to forcibly suspend processes.
• B. Cooperative relies on the processor speed to switch tasks.
• C. Preemptive relies on processes to yield control.
• D. Cooperative uses the kernel to forcibly suspend processes.

Answer: (A)

In preemptive multitasking, the operating system takes control of the CPU and switches tasks automatically. The kernel sets up a timer and, when a running task’s time slice ends, it interrupts that task and performs a context switch to another ready task. This means the kernel can forcibly suspend any process to keep the system responsive and fair, even if a program doesn’t want to yield. In contrast, cooperative multitasking relies on each running process to voluntarily yield control, typically by explicitly giving up the CPU or blocking on I/O. If a process refuses to yield, it can monopolize the CPU and cause the system to become unresponsive. Thus, the correct idea is that preemptive multitasking uses the kernel to forcibly suspend processes. The other statements misstate how switching is triggered or who controls it.

In preemptive multitasking, the operating system takes control of the CPU and switches tasks automatically. The kernel sets up a timer and, when a running task’s time slice ends, it interrupts that task and performs a context switch to another ready task. This means the kernel can forcibly suspend any process to keep the system responsive and fair, even if a program doesn’t want to yield.

In contrast, cooperative multitasking relies on each running process to voluntarily yield control, typically by explicitly giving up the CPU or blocking on I/O. If a process refuses to yield, it can monopolize the CPU and cause the system to become unresponsive. Thus, the correct idea is that preemptive multitasking uses the kernel to forcibly suspend processes. The other statements misstate how switching is triggered or who controls it.