A process is an instance of a running program managed by the operating system. It contains the program code, its allocated memory, and resources such as file handles and network connections. Each process runs independently, and the OS ensures isolation so processes cannot interfere with each other. Processes form the basic unit of execution on a computer system. They enable multitasking by allowing multiple applications to run at the same time. Developers often monitor processes to diagnose performance issues or system errors.
how it works
When a program starts, the operating system creates a process with its own memory space and assigns it an identifier. The OS schedules CPU time for the process and switches between processes rapidly. Processes may create child processes to perform work in parallel. Tools like task managers or CLI utilities show running processes, their resource usage, and statuses. Understanding processes helps developers analyze memory leaks, CPU spikes, and deadlocks. Processes interact heavily with threads and system level APIs.