What is the term used when the CPU is switched from one process to another?

The term used when the CPU is switched from one process to another is known as a context switch. A context switch occurs when the operating system saves the state of a currently running process and loads the state of the next process to be executed. This process involves saving the CPU registers, program counter, and other necessary data associated with the current process, and then restoring the relevant data for the new process.

Context switching allows multiple processes to share a single CPU over time, enhancing multitasking capabilities within an operating system. It ensures that processes can be paused and resumed, giving the illusion of simultaneous execution, even on a single CPU core. This mechanism is crucial in an operating system's ability to efficiently manage various tasks, maintain responsiveness, and provide a proper execution environment for applications.

In contrast, the other concepts mentioned relate to broader functions of operating systems. Task switching is more of a general term and doesn't specifically refer to the technical process involved in saving and loading process states, while process management encompasses the entire methodology of managing processes, including their creation, execution, and termination. Resource allocation deals with distributing system resources among processes, not the shift between them as facilitated by context switching.