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Threads

Lightweight processes and threads concurrency level

The SVR4.2MP and UnixWare 2.0 operating system kernel is not aware of the multithreading of any process using the Threads Library. The kernel supports an entity known as a ``lightweight process'' (LWP).

Many of these are features of threads as well. This is no coincidence. Threads have many of these features because a thread only executes once it has been ``picked up'' by an LWP. However, a process typically has more threads than LWPs.

Conceptually, an LWP is a dearer resource than a thread. The Threads Library will typically maintain a pool of LWPs that are shared by the set of runnable threads in a process.


NOTE: Analogously, the operating system arranges for the sharing of a relatively small number of (hardware) processors among a much greater number of processes or LWPs.


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UnixWare 7 Release 7.1.4 - 27 April 2004