Another important thing the operating system does is to control the resources of the computer. These resources include computer memory, file storage space, and the computer processor. One of the most valuable of these resources is the computer processor, or CPU. The CPU, or central processing unit handles one instruction at a time. Modern computers, the ones manufactured in about the last five years for example, will do multitasking, which means they can run more than one program at a time. If the CPU only does one thing at a time, how can the computer run more than one program? Well, the operating system helps the CPU budget its processing time so computers can do multitasking. The processor works so quickly doing each task, that to us it seems as if things are happening at the same time. However, even multitasking computers have their limits; you can only run so many programs at the same time.
Parents understand the concept of multitasking only too well. If you are trying to answer the phone, catch up on some work, getting ready for soccer practice, and cooking dinner all at the same time, you are multitasking. As you know, when you do this, your performance at each job may suffer. If you have too many jobs to do at once, you will just break down into screaming fits of anguish. The computer will do the equivalent if you give it too much to do at once.
Why is there a limit to the number of programs a multitasking computer can run at the same time?
