context switch
Attention shift midstream
A context switch is the process of saving one task's state and loading another's, allowing a computer processor to move between multiple tasks.
The term extends to human cognition: Every Slack notification forces a context switch.
Frequent context switching degrades focus and efficiency, as the brain needs time to reload previous mental state.
The verb is context-switch: I've been context-switching all day and can't concentrate.
- multitaskingDoing several things concurrently
- interruptBreak in upon
- CPUMain computing chip
- threadFiber for stitching
- processSteps toward a result
overhead · latency · scheduler · kernel · time slice · register · state · save · restore · task · preemption · concurrency · memory · focus · attention · distraction · lost train of thought · flow
- CPU Schedulingscheduler, round robin, round-robin, FIFO, time slice
- processesprocess, manufacturing, dissolving, fermentation, biological process
- interruptsIRQ, exception, trap, fault, MSI
- concurrency bugsrace condition, deadlock, starvation
- Runtimeexecution, runtime, CPU time, elapsed time, processing time
- stack computingpush, pop, LIFO, stack overflow, stack trace
context switchsustained attention
Continuous focus over time
flow state · single-tasking · deep work · focused attention · immersion
context, switch, contexts, contextual, contextually, contextualize, contextualization, decontextualize, switches