What are the advantages of multiprocessor system?

Systems which have more than one processor are called multiprocessor system. These systems are also known as parallel systems or tightly coupled systems.

Multiprocessor systems have the following advantages.

- Increased Throughput: Multiprocessor systems have better performance than single processor systems. It has shorter response time and higher throughput. User gets more work in less time.

- Reduced Cost: Multiprocessor systems can cost less than equivalent multiple single processor systems. They can share resources such as memory, peripherals etc.

- Increased reliability: Multiprocessor systems have more than one processor, so if one processor fails, complete 

system will not stop. In these systems, functions are divided among the different processors.

Is it possible to have a deadlock involving only one process? Explain your answer.

Deadlock with one process is not possible. Here is the explanation.

A deadlock situation can arise if the following four conditions hold simultaneously in a system.

• - Mutual Exclusion.
• - Hold and Wait.
• - No Preemption.
• - Circular-wait.

It is not possible to have circular wait with only one process, thus failing a necessary condition for Circular wait. 

There is no second process to form a circle with the first one. So it is not possible to have a deadlock involving only one process.