Task (computing): Difference between revisions

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In [[computers|computing]], a '''task''' is a unit of [[execution (computing)|execution]]. In some [[operating system]]s, a task is synonymous with a [[process (computing)|process]], and in others with a [[thread (computing)|thread]]. In [[batch processing]] computer systems, a task is a unit of execution within a [[job (computing)|job]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/task|title=What is task? - Definition from WhatIs.com|work=WhatIs.com|accessdate=June 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liutilities.com/articles/what-are-computer-processes/#.VXn8h0b7LDc|title=What are computer processes?|work=liutilities.com|accessdate=June 11, 2015}}</ref>

==History==

The term ''task'' for a part of a job dates to [[multiprogramming]] in the early 1960s, as in this example from 1961:

{{quote |The serial model has the ability to process tasks of one job in an independent manner similar to the functioning of the [[IBM 709]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Simultaneous multiprogramming of electronic computers |year=1961 |author=James Larrimore McKenney |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ThYcAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22tasks of one job%22 154]}}</ref>}}

The term was popularized with the introduction of [[OS/360]] (announced 1964), which featured Multiprogramming with a Fixed number of Tasks (MFT) and Multiprogramming with a Variable number of Tasks (MVT). In this case tasks were identified with processes, a job consisted of a number of tasks, and, later, tasks could have sub-tasks (in modern terminology, [[child process]]es).

== See also ==