what are voluntry/involuntary context-switches

[sagar474]

I have these lines in my code profiler. what is the meaning of these lines. how these results effect my program execution.

Number of voluntary context-switches 6
Number of involuntary context-switches 3

 

[saubhik]

Hi Sagar ,

Got this article , may be helpful for you too -
InformIT: FreeBSD Process Management > Context Switching


in short form
"A voluntary context switch occurs when a thread blocks because it requires a resource that is unavailable. An involuntary context switch takes place when a thread executes for the duration of its time slice or when the system identifies a higher-priority thread to run."

I do not know in exact which context it is written , but it seems like "the maximum allowed voluntary context switch at a time is 6 and maximum allowed involuntary context switch can be acceptable is 3"

Will be happy if you reflect any more info on it. :idea:

Regards,
Saubhik