Which term describes a form of parallel processing where several programs run on a uniprocessor?

The term "multi-programming" describes a form of parallel processing where several programs share the resources of a uniprocessor system. In this context, the processor switches between multiple programs, allowing them to execute concurrently. This is achieved not through physical parallelism, as with multi-core processors, but through time-sharing, where the CPU allocates time slices to each program in a way that they appear to run simultaneously to the user.

This efficient use of CPU time maximizes resource utilization, as the uniprocessor manages the execution of different programs, enabling tasks to progress without waiting for others to finish completely. As a result, users see the effect of simultaneous execution, which enhances system responsiveness and the overall experience.

In contrast, multi-tasking more specifically refers to the ability of an operating system to handle multiple tasks or processes simultaneously, while multi-processing implies the use of multiple processors or cores to handle processes. Single-tasking indicates the opposite, where only one task runs at a time. Hence, among these terms, multi-programming is the most accurate description of a situation involving multiple programs running on a uniprocessor.