Async Runtimes Versus Dedicated Threads
Async tasks multiplex waiting operations over executor threads; dedicated threads give execution contexts stronger placement and blocking assumptions.
Planned model
Run the same I/O-heavy and CPU-heavy workloads through an async executor and dedicated workers. Show task queues, wake-ups, blocking, migration, and latency.
Questions
- Is the work mostly waiting or computing?
- What happens when an async task blocks its executor thread?
- Which design gives the required affinity and scheduling control?
Exercise
Partition a system between async coordination and dedicated critical-path threads, explaining every boundary.