> While true, any application (even one that is not multi-threaded) can run
on
> a separate processor from the O/S.  Therefore, in some sense, you are
using
> one processor for the O/S and the other for an application.  Not sure that
> would buy much, and you are right ... an application not written
> multi-threaded will not automatically use more than one processor.

The NT "OS" does not run on a specific processor.  There are a number of
threads used by the kernel, which each could run on any available processor
whenever they are scheduled.  There are rare exceptions where a thread with
sufficient rights can force its execution to a certain subset of processors,
but in practise most OS and related work is done by threads that don't set
any unusual processor affinity.

A single threaded app is just another thread that is added to the list of
threads.  It, like most other threads will run on whatever processor is
available when it is scheduled.  There is no guarantee that it won't run on
processor 0 for 200mS, go to sleep for 100mS, then run on processor 1 for
100mS.


*****************************************************************
Olin Lathrop, embedded systems consultant in Devens Massachusetts
(978) 772-3129, olin@cognivis.com, http://www.cognivis.com

--
http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us!
use mailto:listserv@mitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST