From www.cis.njit.edu
a simple computer system, the CPU would sit idle while a process is executed and waits for the completion of some I/O request. With multiprogramming, the CPU is used more productively. Several processes are kept in memory at one time. When one process has to wait, the operating system takes the CPU away from that process and gives the CPU to another process. This pattern continues. Every time one process has to wait, another process may take over the use of the CPU.
a simple computer system, the CPU would sit idle while a process is executed and waits for the completion of some I/O request. With multiprogramming, the CPU is used more productively. Several processes are kept in memory at one time. When one process has to wait, the operating system takes the CPU away from that process and gives the CPU to another process. This pattern continues. Every time one process has to wait, another process may take over the use of the CPU.