what was jim doing ()the telephone rang?为什么用when??while可以吗

while绝对不可以!!!!

when有2种用法:1.when(一般过去时,动作为短暂的)+主句(过去进行时)
2.when(过去进行时)+主句(一般过去时)表示先后
这是与while互换.如:
I was reading books when my mother came into my house.
I saw him when(while)my mother was cooking

while可以，when以为在...的时候，当然可以

aha,i am glad to answer this question.
dont be confused.there is little difference in the two conjections.
while emphasizes on the two things occurring at the same time.as a rule we commonly use ing form for the both predicate verbs