Save memory and resources

The database server is able to service many clients with a small number of server processes compared to architectures that have one client process to one server process by running a thread, rather than a process, for each client.

Multithreading permits more efficient use of the operating-system resources because threads share the resources allocated to the virtual processor. All threads that a virtual processor runs have the same access to the virtual-processor memory, communication ports, and files. The virtual processor coordinates access to resources by the threads. Individual processes, though, each have a distinct set of resources, and when multiple processes require access to the same resources, the operating system must coordinate the access.

Generally, a virtual processor can switch from one thread to another faster than the operating system can switch from one process to another. When the operating system switches between processes, it must stop one process from running on the processor, save its current processing state (or context), and start another process. Both processes must enter and exit the operating-system kernel, and the contents of portions of physical memory might require replacement. Threads, though, share the same virtual memory and file descriptors. When a virtual processor switches from one thread to another, the switch is from one path of execution to another. The virtual processor, which is a process, continues to run on the CPU without interruption. For a description of how a virtual processor switches from one thread to another, see Context switching.