Context-switches & integration of workflows to avoid them

1. What is a context switch?
2. What is context switching in OS with example?
3. What causes context switching?
4. Is context switching good or bad?

What is a context switch?

A context switch is a procedure that a computer's CPU (central processing unit) follows to change from one task (or process) to another while ensuring that the tasks do not conflict. Effective context switching is critical if a computer is to provide user-friendly multitasking.

What is context switching in OS with example?

Example of Context Switching

Suppose that multiple processes are stored in a Process Control Block (PCB). One process is running state to execute its task with the use of CPUs. As the process is running, another process arrives in the ready queue, which has a high priority of completing its task using CPU.

What causes context switching?

The most common reasons for a context switch are: The time slice has elapsed. A thread with a higher priority has become ready to run. A running thread needs to wait.

Is context switching good or bad?

Context switching may be a cognitive benefit, but it creates problems at work because we're rarely ever able to focus on just one task the entire day.