Why threads used in designing operating systems

The following are some reasons why we use threads in designing operating systems.

1.A process with multiple threads makes a great server, for example, a printer server.

2.Because threads can share common data, they do not need to use inter process communication.

3.Because of their very nature, threads can take advantage of multiprocessors.


Threads are cheap in the sense that.

1.They only need a stack and storage for registers therefore, threads are cheap to create.

2.Threads use very little resources of an operating system in which they are working. That is, threads do not need new address space, global data, program code or operating system resources.

3.Context switching are fast when working with threads. The reason is that we only have to save and/or restore PC, SP and registers.
But this cheapness does not come free - the biggest drawback is that there is no protection between threads.