Development for dual core machine

[samwyse]

Andy wrote:
> Hi guys,
> 
> I'm sorry, I'm not sure this is the correct group to be asking this
> kind of question...
> 
> I'm going to develop a software package that includes a web server
> (and PHP code) , a database, and some Python code of course.  I am
> being strongly suggested to make it to work on a dual- or multi-core
> computer, but I'm confused on how to take advantage of the multiple
> CPUs.
> 
>>From what I read, I think that simply by making the package run in
> several separate processes (web server, database server, Python
> interpreter, etc.), and/or using multiple threads (which I will
> anyway) the package should be able to use multiple CPUs.
> 
> Is my understanding correct?  So actually, all I have to do is just
> write my multi-threaded Python code as usual?  And how is it decided
> which process and which threads go to CPU 1, CPU 2, etc.?  Perhaps the
> BIOS?
> 
> Any advice greatly appreciated.
> Andy
> 

The Python interpreter is not multi-cpu aware, so using Python threads 
won't work on multiple CPUs.  If your tasks are CPU-bound, then fork 
multiple processes.  Most web servers (Apache) can handle this 
automatically for you.